Cultural Competency: the ability to effectively interact with people from different cultural backgrounds.

In today’s interconnected world, the ability to understand and appreciate different cultures has become more important than ever before.

As you look ahead to college and the workforce, developing cultural competency is not only valuable but necessary. It’s not simply being aware of differences; it’s respecting and truly valuing the contributions those differences can make.

Being inclusive, informed, and welcoming can improve your:

Communication and Collaboration
Differences in language, styles, or cultural norms can create communication barriers, but if you understand the cultural contexts at work, you can adapt your strategies to overcome them.

Creativity and Innovation
Teams of classmates or colleagues can use their varied perspectives and experiences to innovate and problem-solve in unique ways. You’ll have ways of approaching problems that no one else has.

Empathy and Understanding
Engaging with people from diverse backgrounds naturally fosters a deeper appreciation for other experiences and perspectives; it helps strengthen relationships and increases equality.

So, how can you develop cultural competency as a high school student preparing for the global marketplace? Try signing up for one of these extracurriculars.