Technology as a Vehicle for Intercultural Development
In 2023, it’s an essential skill to be able to communicate easily and confidently across cultures. Along with the pandemic and the changes to our lifestyles, it has become necessary to find ways to integrate between cultures and learn about each other’s perspectives. Technology provides us with interactive spaces and ways to assess our interactions and equitable contributions.
Currently, video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet allow virtual lectures, meetings, and even social gatherings. Thanks to the ease of use of these tools, we can do more than just work continuity; they offer us tools to evaluate progress and broaden our cultural experiences like never before.
Intercultural development requires interaction and listening to others. By using virtual platforms to evaluate these experiences, we can travel through cyberspace with a specific goal. For those in the education and community sectors, technology enables the quantification of intercultural competence. For individuals, technology has become a liberating space for intercultural encounters that were not possible before.
It's true that the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to physically distance ourselves from each other, creating a feeling of isolation and disconnection. However, in response to the pandemic, technology stepped up to fill the gap. Through video conferencing platforms, social media, and other online communication tools, we have been able to connect with each other virtually, from anywhere in the world. This has opened up new avenues for cross-cultural communication and collaboration. With access to an unprecedented wealth of information, people from all corners of the world are now able to engage with each other and share ideas, opinions, and perspectives, regardless of their location.
With the help of technology, we can work towards a more connected and culturally rich world, in which people from different backgrounds can engage with each other, learn from each other, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.
This article was originally written in Spanish by Dr. Veronica Herrera and was translated, addapted, and cowritten by Scotty Brown.