Making Friends Across Cultures

Humans naturally seek "safety in similarity," which can lead to avoiding anyone with different backgrounds or belief systems than our own, says Olivia Ngadjui, a mental health professional and college professor. And fear as the primary emotion that prevents us from forming intercultural friendships. If we push past the anxiety, there are meaningful relationships to be had. Through the development of intercultural relationships, we learn about new traditions and see the world through a fresh lens as well as challenge long-held stereotypes. In this video, we will explore a few strategies you can use to initiate intercultural relationships including simple greetings and gestures of goodwill, being inquisitive and open to learning about other cultures, and celebrating the differences.