Tool Objectives:

1. Identify the specific cultural preferences of participants.
2. Reflect on individual cultural orientation in relation to the larger society and any potential host societies.
3. Raise awareness of and respect for differing cultural orientations and preferences.

Tool Description:

This tool was designed to assist participants in determining where they are positioned on a variety of cultural characteristics from various cultures around the world.  For instance, are you more individualistic or collectivist.   There are no right or wrong answers to this mapping activity, it is simply to help you better understand yourself, your native culture, and possibly any culture where you may spend an amount of time.  This tool is best used with the reflection activity at the bottom of the page and should not be “quantified”  as a means of assessment.  

Tool Procedures:

1. Begin this activity by having participants circle or draw an “X” over the characteristic that most closely resembles their own preference.  
2. Compare the characteristics of each individual to the larger society they are currently in and to their native society if different.
3. Compare individual and current society “norms” to other cultures.
4. Discuss the reflection questions at the bottom of this tool as a group.

Tool Evaluation:

Discussion and reflection

Tool Time Requirement:

30 to 60 minutes

Tool Resource and Author:

Need updated link to resourceEdward Hall, Geert Hofstede and Aperian Global. Compiled by Natalia Dyba, natalia.dyba@outlook.com