Transnational Perspectives on Cultural Learning Strategies in the US, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan View Digital Media

Colloquium
Elizabeth Sandell,  Linden Anthony,  Yodahe Kebede,  Damaris De La Torre,  Marielle Calanza,  Malaika Azam,  Amal Sharafkhodjaeva,  Ryuto Hashimoto  

In today's globalized world, higher education institutions seek to develop students’ ability to understand and adapt to different cultures. Cultural learning strategies play a crucial role in fostering cross-cultural effectiveness and intercultural competence. However, those strategies historically have not been reviewed from a lens of international and comparative education. During one semester, the research team conducted scholarly projects to investigate the types of cultural learning strategies and their impact on students’ cross-cultural effectiveness. This study explores the variations and intriguing commonalities in cultural learning strategies across five diverse countries: the United States, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan. In this colloquium, the presenters explore the unique cultural learning strategies employed by teachers in these countries, often reflecting the nation’s demographics, cultural values and norms, and historical approach to multiculturalism. The United States, known for its multiculturalism, often sees cultural learning strategies driven by assimilation, multiculturalism, or a combination of both. In contrast, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan exhibit varying degrees of homogeneity and heterogeneity within their national demographics, leading to unique approaches to multicultural education. By examining these diverse approaches, the research aims to provide valuable insights for global educators.