Intercultural kick-off week at Novia Business in Turku 30.9-4.10.2024
An Intercultural Week was organized at the Åbo campus to highlight the importance of cultural diversity in today´s globalized world. This week was an incredible opportunity for students to attend guest lectures, for the exchange students to participate in a language café and practice their skills in Swedish in a fun and educational way. The 2nd year Business students and exchange students joined a Hackathon, where students worked in multicultural groups to learn more about Inclusive Leadership. The week provided an opportunity for students to engage with one another and build valuable connections for the future.
The intercultural kick-off week marked the beginning of an intercultural academic year at the Faculty of Business at Novia. The theme for the academic year is topical since culture is a diverse and current topic of discussion in today’s world. Increasing international connectivity and global awareness make culture and cultural understanding more important. Culture is a big part of our identity and self-image. That’s why culture is so important to take into consideration, especially in multicultural companies with team members from all around the world. A strong understanding of cultural diversity enables companies to build stronger, more cohesive teams that can thrive in a globalized business environment.
As the world becomes more globalized, it is important that Finland continues to adapt accordingly. With the world becoming smaller and more competitive, and people being more mobile, the business industry must continuously strive to stay ahead and to have a competitive job market.
Speaking the same language doesn't guarantee smooth communication; it can still be a challenge. Even if language is an intricate part of a business, knowledge about different cultures is very important and not something that can be set aside. There are so many conflicts around the world that are caused by miscommunication, not only by language but culture as well. That’s why learning and understanding cultures is pivotal for humankind. You either adapt and develop or get left behind, as growth in cultural knowledge and change in societies are keys to thriving in an ever-evolving world.
To truly understand another culture, we need to specifically find information, mingle with people of different ethnic origin and have an open mind to develop. Even if cultural ignorance can be a bliss, it doesn’t mean that it’s the best way.
An intercultural academic year at the Faculty of Business Administration has the potential to engage students to learn more about different cultures and collaborate with people from different parts of the world. So that we can become more culturally considerate team members in our future professional life.
More information
Business student, Reetta Tuovinen, reetta.tuovinen@edu.novia.fi
Business student, Jenny Laurent, jenny.laurent@edu.novia.fi
Business student, Oscar Helle