Since I was young, I have been interested in different cultures.

My parents bought a set of picture

encyclopedias that included cultural information. The encyclopedias were arranged by subject, such as
“holidays” and “foods.” These books widened my horizons and provided me with access to the different
ways in which people live.

Culture shapes our identity and influences our behaviors, and cultural diversity makes us accept, and
even to some extent, integrate and assimilate with other cultures. Cultural diversity has become very
important in today's world. Whether we work or study or even stay at home, our chances of interacting
with people from various races, ethnic groups and cultures is far greater now than it has been ever
before.

Learning about other cultures will make you more motivated to visit and find out what it is really like.
Being curious creates an interest in understanding the similarities and differences between your culture
and another. Being curious may also help you better understand and accept cultural differences that
may be a challenge without visiting the country of the cultural difference that you are learning about.

First of all, it’s interesting to learn about those who are different from you. There’s nothing wrong with
doing something just because it’s interesting. A little extra knowledge ever hurt anyone, and it’s
probably more useful and edifying than watching another mindless TV show. It stimulates the mind, and
forces you to think in new ways. Learning about other cultures is an interesting way to challenge your
thought processes and expand the way you process information. Make it a point to learn more about
other cultures and you will find that your propensity to keep learning helps you grow your mental
capacities. Learning about Other Cultures Fosters Understanding
Many of the problems we have in this world are due to misunderstandings. When you learn about
another culture, and see why others do the things they do, it’s easier to understand them. You can
develop sympathy with others. It’s harder to justify things like hatred and war when you understand
where another person is coming from. When you learn about other cultures, you learn that there is
more than one approach to life. You also learn that your approach might not always be the best way.
Perhaps the cultural heritage of someone else can add another dimension to your life.
Learning about other cultures allows you to move outside your own bubble, and find new ways of
thinking, and new ways of approaching problems. With technology making the world ever-smaller, and
with the ease of travel between countries, chances are that you will meet someone with a different
cultural heritage at some point. Being able to tolerate others, and not berate them because of their
differences is not only a big part of living in a global community, but it is also the mark of a well-rounded
person.

Benefits of Cultural Mapping

Better understanding of the world: Our world is filled with amazing, diverse people and cultures. The
more cultures our children are exposed to, the more accepting they are of people and cultures that are
different from them.
Valuing and respecting other cultures and our own: It’s not only important to be aware of other
cultures, but also to value and respect them.

Reducing stereotypes: The more we know about people and cultures, the less we’re likely to fall into
grouping people based on stereotypes. Everyone is different and what’s true for one person may not be
true for another.

Promotes effective communication: Language is not the only player in communication. Culture can have
effects on many different areas. Culture can affect speaking style, including speed, figurative language,
details and more. It can also affect body language and gestures.

Increases opportunity to meet new and interesting people: By joining in on different celebrations,
visiting people from different cultures, and jumping in on new experiences, kids will begin meeting new
people and making new friends. This will expand their social circle and make room for even more new
friends of different cultures.

New experiences: New experiences can be anything from hearing stories, participating in a traditional
celebration or trying new food. A new art technique, or a musical instrument they’ve never seen before
are fantastic experiences. The more you dive into cultural education, the more kids will be able to
experience the world around them.