To help international students better understand cultural differences and improve their intercultural understanding and adaptation skills, the Genxtra Science and Innovation Club of IEC recently held the second session of the "Cultural Panorama Lecture Series", themed “Appreciate Similarities, Accept Differences.” More than 100 Chinese and international students attended the event.
The session began with an interactive activity titled “Where Are You From, My Friend?” Students actively participated and enthusiastically introduced their hometowns, quickly bridging the gap between them. This was followed by a multilingual rendition of the song “Colors of the Wind,” which allowed students to experience the richness and diversity of world languages. To deepen their understanding of cultural differences, an interactive game called “Passport Adventure” was organized. In this game, students answered rapid-fire questions about various countries’ customs and landscapes. The activity sparked lively responses from both the teacher and students, creating a joyful atmosphere in which students learned about the traditions and cultures of different countries and experienced cultural diversity firsthand.
In the theoretical segment, the instructor explained the concepts and characteristics of intercultural communication. Popular movies and related videos were shown, presenting typical examples of intercultural conflicts encountered by international students in China. These examples were analyzed and discussed in light of Edward T. Hall’s high-context and low-context cultures, as well as Geert Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory. Students actively participated in the discussions, offering insights and suggesting solutions, which deepened their understanding of multiculturalism and enhanced their empathy. The lecture concluded with Chinese and international students singing the heartwarming song “Friends,” bringing the event to a climax.
By introducing basic theories and case studies of intercultural communication, the lecture enhanced students’ intercultural comprehension and tolerance, as well as their ability to adapt to different cultures. Moving forward, IEC will continue to address the intercultural adaptation needs of international students in China, expand platforms for intercultural communication experiences, and innovate diverse forms of multicultural communication to better support students' intercultural adaptation.
