essay my culture has shaped me

How Does Culture Affect the Self Identity Personal Essay

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Introduction

Culture influence on personality identity, chinese – indonesians’ culture in relation to personal identity, how am i shaped and influenced by culture.

Culture or the way of life is attributed to the personality of an individual and makes them who they really are. Self awareness emphasizes the significance of an individual to exist and is attributed to social views and practices. It defines individual characteristics and contributes to the diversity of people in the world and this makes life interesting.

Culture and personal identity relate closely and are dependent on each other. Construction of identities is within individual in relation to a particular historical background and organization. This paper shall explore the personality trait explained above and explain the contribution that culture has made.

The vibrant Indonesian culture is ethnic and is also being influenced by countries such as China and India which neighbor it. Cultural identity is marked by the influence from the family, regional, and religious aspects. For instance, am a mixture of Chinese and Indonesian, born in Indonesia and have lived there my entire life.

My family background is relatively humble although my parents provide for my basic needs. However, Luxuries are not always present when needed. With hard work, the family is better than before since the parents have worked extra hard to make ends meet. Nevertheless, the initial financial constrains that my family experienced contributed to my personality.

I have come to be known as a girl of low profile since my cultural background has dictated so. I have learnt to save money and use it on important things only. In addition, I’ve learnt to share with others and not to become self-engrossed, an image that I always portray not only to my parents and friends but also to the society at large. This has made me and the whole family relate well with others.

Chinese- Indonesians are an ethnic minority whose culture is heterogeneous. They have been categorized into totok and peranakan. Since peranakan have their birthplace as Indonesia, they are identified with the ethnic regions of Indonesia and they disregard their Chinese origin.

In contrast, the totok has a lesser Indonesian orientation instead, are more of Chinese since them or their parents have been born in china (Aimee 77).

Another distinction is in the commercial activities undertaken by the groups. Totok group are geared on achieving business success and accumulate wealth. Thus, this is reflected in their self-reliance, investment approach, and prowess which are aspects that have greatly influenced my identity.

As a totok I practice a significant cultural value known as the guanxi . It is a concept which points out that for one to succeed, he or she should relate with people who matter and one must harmonize with the environment instead of altering it.

“For instance, through his personal and financial connections with government officials, particularly Suharto, whom he befriended long before he became Indonesia’s president, Liem Sioe Liong amassed a multibillion dollar importer that encompassed the manufacturing of cement and steel, automobile distribution …” (Aimee 78).

The example emphasizes the aggressiveness of the totok which in turn has taught me to avoid being self-centered but instead count on others in every activity I undertake in life.

On the other hand, the peranakan base their engagements on merit hence are not very successful in the Indonesian commercialism. Therefore, being a totok means that the culture has dictated my hardworking nature and most significantly, my networking and social nature. This has in turn affected my personality of being considerate of others and avoiding being self-centered.

Religious aspects, social environment, and distinct originality have had a strong effect on my identity. Being a Chinese- Indonesian I have learnt proper use of money and resources in order to become successful in life contribute to my identity of being low profile.

The family is a very important institution based on the cultural values if Chinese-Indonesians. Family ties are maintained and preserved by practice of norms such as marriage which ensures solidarity among members (Aimee 74).

It is the role of the parents to teach their children proper manners in life and this has been properly implemented by both of my parents in a strict way which has enabled me to follow the rules and regulations set in various areas quite easily. The family union is relevant to set a good example to the children and ensure happiness in marriage. Marriage is one cultural value that is highly regarded by Chinese-Indonesians.

Indonesian culture is very categorical on religious morals which are elements that are reflected in the entire society and more specifically by my trait of putting others ahead of me and sharing my resources with them. I believe that Sex before marriage is a vice that is forbidden by my culture which helps maintain an environment where children can grow well, become educated, and attain a high degree of moral standards.

Being a Muslim country it is also under the influence of other religions such as Buddhism as well as Hinduism which may as well have played a part on my personal identity. Its cultural, richness is depicted in the country’s art and theatre work such as dances and music.

The economic background, family relations and ethnic distinctions have contributed significantly to the personality trait of being a low profile person who is considerate of others. Moreover, belonging to a Chinese-Indonesian ethnicity means that I have interacted with several cultures.

A multicultural interaction may have similar or contradicting effects on personal identity which is reflected in my personality making it hard to evaluate specifically whether I am of totok o r peranakan origin.

Nevertheless the role played by my immediate family has guided me as I interact with the social environment around me. The culture has enabled me be identified in the society as a low profile woman. This does not only help to deliberately avoid undue prominence but also to exercise personal freedom and acceptance.

Aimee, Dawis. The Chinese of Indonesia and their Search For Identity: The Relationship Between Collective Memory and the Media . New York: Cambria Press. 2009. Print.

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Narrative Essay about Culture and How It Has Shaped Me

Culture is a word that can mean a lot of different things to many different people. It can mean a way of life or belief, from attitudes and values, to how you choose to celebrate different holidays, even to the kind of food that you eat. To me, culture is a place or group of people where the attitudes, values, and expectations are shared amongst all that either were born into or shared the same attitudes, values and expectations.  It is a word that carries a lot of weight and everybody has been a part of some culture that has shaped them, myself included. I have had a multitude of cultures to thank for shaping me into who I am today. The most influential cultures I have been a part of and had the biggest impact on me are the cultures of my family, school and the many activities I was a part of, and my home away from home, Camp Abe Lincoln.

In my home with my family, the culture was one of success, family, and supportiveness. In my home it was always expected to put your best foot forward in all that you do whether that be the smallest activity like cleaning your room, or how you perform on a test. My father always told me to take pride in my work and that if I cannot stand confidently by my work that I had done, that it was not enough. It wasn’t the pursuit of perfection, but rather of reaching as far as you can and doing as well as you possibly could. If that was done, the outcome was always enough for my family. My mother was always my biggest cheerleader as well, which I believe the rest of the family picked up from her as well, adding a new layer of supportiveness into what anybody was doing into my family’s culture. My family is also extremely competitive, even from when I was young. Whether it was a video game against my father, or a game of tag against my siblings we all wanted to win no matter what. This competitiveness is definitely part of my family’s culture that was passed down to me. I believe that a lot of this comes from my heritage of being German, as my grandfather is one hundred percent German and brought that attitude with him when he came to America. An important part of German culture is how we celebrate holidays. Getting the whole family together and celebrating with as much food and positive energy as possible. We would always take trips to places where my whole family could meet up so that way we could celebrate christmas, thanksgiving, and birthdays together. Christmas was always special in my family, we would get all of my mothers family together and enjoy some German food and songs to celebrate the holidays. The feelings I would get from seeing cousins, aunts, and uncles from these gatherings taught me the importance of making sure to keep in touch and see your family, no matter the distance. The importance of success, family and supportiveness are just a few examples of what I have picked up from one of the cultures I have been a part of. The next culture I was introduced to would show me many new meanings I long thought I had already figured out.

Another culture that helped shape me into who I am today is the culture of the schools that I went to as well as the clubs and activities I was involved in. I know it’s not a very typical place to consider a culture but hear me out. I had played sports for my whole life and the culture around school sports was very similar to the one that I had experienced in my home which is why I was drawn to them. However, I grew tired of the culture around football at my school and looked for other outlets to be a part of something and I eventually ended up in band. Immediately I could tell things were different than what I was accustomed to. In football, I never felt as if I were part of a group, but an individual expected to put in the work on my own to put my best foot forward for the game. There it was as if everybody was a part of a big family and welcomed me in my freshman year with open arms and warm smiles. They had no care for how good you were at playing your instrument or if you put in extra work, they were nice and welcoming regardless of all that. The culture was one of mutual respect and kindness to all. They were always supportive and accepting of whoever you were regardless of gender, sexuality, race or any other factors similar to those. I consider myself very lucky to have been a part of a culture like that as it changed the way I felt not only about myself, but all others around me as well, teaching me to accept others with a smile and zero judgement for almost anything. They also defined success in a very different light than what I had been accustomed to. In the music world, the pursuit of goals is not always defined by success , but rather growth from where you started to where you finished. That way of defining success led me to try many new things that I never thought I would, such as singing in shows, dancing, and tons of other options that I would have otherwise, and previously had, dismissed without a second thought.  It also introduced me to how it’s ok to be yourself and put the best version of yourself forward as it is your most authentic self. This alone has led numerous people, myself included, to lead a happier, more fulfilling life of being who you were rather than who somebody expected you to be. Not to mention the creativity, the culture around music is different than anything I have ever experienced. Creativity, confidence, and giving everything you have is the key when it comes to everything that you would do, whether that's singing, dancing, acting, playing your instrument, or even the way that you are talking to your peers. This was a new and refreshing culture to be a part of, however there is one more that I can say had an equally big impact on me, if not bigger.

The last, and quite possibly most important culture to me, is the one that I experienced at a summer camp by the name Camp Abe Lincoln. Camp Abe Lincoln is a YMCA run camp that is open year round that I would attend every single summer of my life until I eventually became a staff there as well. The culture of that camp is fairly simple. They prided themselves on four core values that, if you had and showed, would make you a more complete and better human. These four values are caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. As a camper in this camp it taught me many things from every age. When I was young and in elementary school I was a shy kid who was scared of his own shadow, but when I went to that camp every person I encountered was so kind and caring it made me feel safe and at home. That alone is something I picked up from that culture from a young age. It taught me to also never judge someone from how they dress, where they came from, or what they were interested in. Just because somebody was not the exact same as you doesn’t mean you couldn’t be friends with others. Being in an environment where I was to be with five to ten kids from every walk of life for a whole week taught me all those values. Not to mention this is the place where I was taught how to believe in myself and that if you push past your limits you will be amazed at what the outcome is. We had this 50 foot tall wooden tower that I was scared to death of. For a long time I never even considered getting close to that monster, but my peers and my counselors expressed belief in me and because of that, I got on that tower. Never got to the top but I was amazed that I even made it onto it in the first place. Putting your belief in others and pushing people to reach their max potential is something that I have felt and that I continue to practice in my daily life.  As I got older, I realized that the values I learned there when I was a child still apply to all that you do. I have always made an effort to put my faith in others to help them reach their potential in whatever they do, treat them with as much kindness and respect as possible, no matter the age. Whether you were the youngest person on site, or somebody who had been there for years it was no different. As I began to work there, I could see the change in how people would react from the beginning of the week to the end from those values. It was very rewarding to have put my faith and best foot forward for others and to see the positive growth and change from  anybody, whether it be a fellow counselor or any number of children that would be under my guidance for the week. The feeling of helping others in such an impactful way is something that was supported and encouraged by their own culture and it is something I carry with me every day I wake up. The culture was always to have anybody who showed up there leave as a better version of themselves and I cannot think of a more impactful or meaningful culture than that.

Overall, I truly believe that everybody is shaped by some culture that they become a part of. Cultures have such a unique effect to teach you new attitudes and beliefs just by being a part of them. In my case it was my family, school and the activities I took part in, and my second home at Camp Abe Lincoln. I am aware that my opinion on culture may be different than everybody else’s but culture is a word that carries a lot of weight. It means a lot of different things to many people, and the cultures I have been a part of certainly meant a lot to me.

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Cultural Identity Essay

27 August, 2020

12 minutes read

Author:  Elizabeth Brown

No matter where you study, composing essays of any type and complexity is a critical component in any studying program. Most likely, you have already been assigned the task to write a cultural identity essay, which is an essay that has to do a lot with your personality and cultural background. In essence, writing a cultural identity essay is fundamental for providing the reader with an understanding of who you are and which outlook you have. This may include the topics of religion, traditions, ethnicity, race, and so on. So, what shall you do to compose a winning cultural identity essay?

Cultural Identity Paper: Definitions, Goals & Topics 

Before starting off with a cultural identity essay, it is fundamental to uncover what is particular about this type of paper. First and foremost, it will be rather logical to begin with giving a general and straightforward definition of a cultural identity essay. In essence, cultural identity essay implies outlining the role of the culture in defining your outlook, shaping your personality, points of view regarding a multitude of matters, and forming your qualities and beliefs. Given a simpler definition, a cultural identity essay requires you to write about how culture has influenced your personality and yourself in general. So in this kind of essay you as a narrator need to give an understanding of who you are, which strengths you have, and what your solid life position is.

Yet, the goal of a cultural identity essay is not strictly limited to describing who you are and merely outlining your biography. Instead, this type of essay pursues specific objectives, achieving which is a perfect indicator of how high-quality your essay is. Initially, the primary goal implies outlining your cultural focus and why it makes you peculiar. For instance, if you are a french adolescent living in Canada, you may describe what is so special about it: traditions of the community, beliefs, opinions, approaches. Basically, you may talk about the principles of the society as well as its beliefs that made you become the person you are today.

So far, cultural identity is a rather broad topic, so you will likely have a multitude of fascinating ideas for your paper. For instance, some of the most attention-grabbing topics for a personal cultural identity essay are:

• Memorable traditions of your community
• A cultural event that has influenced your personality 
• Influential people in your community
• Locations and places that tell a lot about your culture and identity

Cultural Identity Essay Structure

As you might have already guessed, composing an essay on cultural identity might turn out to be fascinating but somewhat challenging. Even though the spectrum of topics is rather broad, the question of how to create the most appropriate and appealing structure remains open.

Like any other kind of an academic essay, a cultural identity essay must compose of three parts: introduction, body, and concluding remarks. Let’s take a more detailed look at each of the components:

Introduction 

Starting to write an essay is most likely one of the most time-consuming and mind-challenging procedures. Therefore, you can postpone writing your introduction and approach it right after you finish body paragraphs. Nevertheless, you should think of a suitable topic as well as come up with an explicit thesis. At the beginning of the introduction section, give some hints regarding the matter you are going to discuss. You have to mention your thesis statement after you have briefly guided the reader through the topic. You can also think of indicating some vital information about yourself, which is, of course, relevant to the topic you selected.

Your main body should reveal your ideas and arguments. Most likely, it will consist of 3-5 paragraphs that are more or less equal in size. What you have to keep in mind to compose a sound ‘my cultural identity essay’ is the argumentation. In particular, always remember to reveal an argument and back it up with evidence in each body paragraph. And, of course, try to stick to the topic and make sure that you answer the overall question that you stated in your topic. Besides, always keep your thesis statement in mind: make sure that none of its components is left without your attention and argumentation.

Conclusion 

Finally, after you are all finished with body paragraphs and introduction, briefly summarize all the points in your final remarks section. Paraphrase what you have already revealed in the main body, and make sure you logically lead the reader to the overall argument. Indicate your cultural identity once again and draw a bottom line regarding how your culture has influenced your personality.

Best Tips For Writing Cultural Identity Essay

Writing a ‘cultural identity essay about myself’ might be somewhat challenging at first. However, you will no longer struggle if you take a couple of plain tips into consideration. Following the tips below will give you some sound and reasonable cultural identity essay ideas as well as make the writing process much more pleasant:

• Start off by creating an outline. The reason why most students struggle with creating a cultural identity essay lies behind a weak structure. The best way to organize your ideas and let them flow logically is to come up with a helpful outline. Having a reference to build on is incredibly useful, and it allows your essay to look polished.
• Remember to write about yourself. The task of a cultural identity essay implies not focusing on your culture per se, but to talk about how it shaped your personality. So, switch your focus to describing who you are and what your attitudes and positions are. 
• Think of the most fundamental cultural aspects. Needless to say, you first need to come up with a couple of ideas to be based upon in your paper. So, brainstorm all the possible ideas and try to decide which of them deserve the most attention. In essence, try to determine which of the aspects affected your personality the most.
• Edit and proofread before submitting your paper. Of course, the content and the coherence of your essay’s structure play a crucial role. But the grammatical correctness matters a lot too. Even if you are a native speaker, you may still make accidental errors in the text. To avoid the situation when unintentional mistakes spoil the impression from your essay, always double check your cultural identity essay. 

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Essay on My Culture

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Culture in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My Culture

Introduction.

My culture is an integral part of who I am. It’s like a colorful tapestry, woven with traditions, customs, and values that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Family Traditions

Family traditions are a significant part of my culture. They include celebrating festivals, preparing and sharing traditional meals, and storytelling sessions that keep our heritage alive.

Language and Values

The language we speak at home is another cultural aspect. It connects me to my roots. Additionally, values like respect for elders, kindness, and honesty are cultural teachings I hold dear.

In conclusion, my culture shapes my identity, guiding my actions and thoughts. It’s a treasure I cherish and will continue to uphold.

250 Words Essay on My Culture

Culture is an intricate tapestry, woven with threads of traditions, values, and experiences. It shapes our identity, influencing our beliefs and behaviors. My culture, a blend of South Asian heritage and modern Western influences, plays a significant role in defining who I am.

Traditional Roots

My culture is steeped in ancient traditions, each carrying profound meanings. From the vibrant festivals like Diwali, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, to the daily rituals such as meditation, promoting inner peace, these customs provide a sense of belonging and continuity. They serve as a bridge, connecting me to my ancestors and their wisdom.

Western Influences

Growing up in a multicultural society, my culture has also been shaped by Western influences. The emphasis on individualism and freedom of expression has encouraged me to question, explore, and form my own beliefs. This fusion of cultures has led to a unique blend of values – respect for diversity, emphasis on education, and the pursuit of personal growth.

Impact on Personal Identity

My culture, a blend of tradition and modernity, has shaped my worldview and personal identity. It has taught me to appreciate diversity, strive for knowledge, and maintain balance in life. It has also instilled a sense of responsibility to uphold these values and pass them on to future generations.

Culture is not static; it evolves, influenced by time, place, and people. My culture is a testament to this dynamic nature – a harmonious blend of old and new, East and West. It is an integral part of my identity, shaping my thoughts, actions, and aspirations.

500 Words Essay on My Culture

Defining my culture.

My culture is a beautiful amalgamation of shared beliefs, practices, and traditions that have been passed down through generations. It is a social construct, born out of the need for a collective identity, yet it is also deeply personal, shaping my individuality. It is a complex interplay of history, geography, religion, language, and art.

Language and Communication

Language, an essential component of my culture, is more than just a tool for communication. It encapsulates the essence of my cultural heritage, carrying with it the stories, wisdom, and ethos of my ancestors. Each idiom, each proverb, each dialect is a window into the collective experiences and values of my community.

Traditions and Rituals

Values and norms.

At the heart of my culture lie the values and norms that guide my behavior and interactions with others. They instill in me a sense of responsibility, respect, and empathy, molding my character and influencing my worldview. These values, embedded in the fabric of my culture, serve as a moral compass, guiding me through life’s challenges and dilemmas.

Art and Expression

Art, in its many forms, is a powerful expression of my culture. It is a mirror reflecting society, a canvas depicting our dreams, fears, joys, and sorrows. Be it music, literature, dance, or visual arts, each piece is a thread in the intricate tapestry of my culture, adding depth, color, and texture to the narrative.

While cultures may vary enormously across the globe, they all share one thing in common: they are the lifeblood of human societies. They provide us with a sense of belonging and identity, and help us understand our place in the world. By cherishing and preserving our individual cultures, we contribute to the beautiful diversity of the human race.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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• How to Write a Diversity Essay | Tips & Examples

How to Write a Diversity Essay | Tips & Examples

Published on November 1, 2021 by Kirsten Courault . Revised on May 31, 2023.

Table of contents

What is a diversity essay, identify how you will enrich the campus community, share stories about your lived experience, explain how your background or identity has affected your life, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

Diversity essays ask students to highlight an important aspect of their identity, background, culture, experience, viewpoints, beliefs, skills, passions, goals, etc.

Diversity essays can come in many forms. Some scholarships are offered specifically for students who come from an underrepresented background or identity in higher education. At highly competitive schools, supplemental diversity essays require students to address how they will enhance the student body with a unique perspective, identity, or background.

In the Common Application and applications for several other colleges, some main essay prompts ask about how your background, identity, or experience has affected you.

Why schools want a diversity essay

Many universities believe a student body representing different perspectives, beliefs, identities, and backgrounds will enhance the campus learning and community experience.

Admissions officers are interested in hearing about how your unique background, identity, beliefs, culture, or characteristics will enrich the campus community.

Through the diversity essay, admissions officers want students to articulate the following:

• What makes them different from other applicants
• Stories related to their background, identity, or experience
• How their unique lived experience has affected their outlook, activities, and goals

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Think about what aspects of your identity or background make you unique, and choose one that has significantly impacted your life.

For some students, it may be easy to identify what sets them apart from their peers. But if you’re having trouble identifying what makes you different from other applicants, consider your life from an outsider’s perspective. Don’t presume your lived experiences are normal or boring just because you’re used to them.

Some examples of identities or experiences that you might write about include the following:

• Race/ethnicity
• Gender identity
• Sexual orientation
• Nationality
• Socioeconomic status
• Immigration background
• Religion/belief system
• Place of residence
• Family circumstances
• Extracurricular activities related to diversity

Include vulnerable, authentic stories about your lived experiences. Maintain focus on your experience rather than going into too much detail comparing yourself to others or describing their experiences.

Keep the focus on you

Tell a story about how your background, identity, or experience has impacted you. While you can briefly mention another person’s experience to provide context, be sure to keep the essay focused on you. Admissions officers are mostly interested in learning about your lived experience, not anyone else’s.

When I was a baby, my grandmother took me in, even though that meant postponing her retirement and continuing to work full-time at the local hairdresser. Even working every shift she could, she never missed a single school play or soccer game.

She and I had a really special bond, even creating our own special language to leave each other secret notes and messages. She always pushed me to succeed in school, and celebrated every academic achievement like it was worthy of a Nobel Prize. Every month, any leftover tip money she received at work went to a special 509 savings plan for my college education.

When I was in the 10th grade, my grandmother was diagnosed with ALS. We didn’t have health insurance, and what began with quitting soccer eventually led to dropping out of school as her condition worsened. In between her doctor’s appointments, keeping the house tidy, and keeping her comfortable, I took advantage of those few free moments to study for the GED.

In school pictures at Raleigh Elementary School, you could immediately spot me as “that Asian girl.” At lunch, I used to bring leftover fun see noodles, but after my classmates remarked how they smelled disgusting, I begged my mom to make a “regular” lunch of sliced bread, mayonnaise, and deli meat.

Although born and raised in North Carolina, I felt a cultural obligation to learn my “mother tongue” and reconnect with my “homeland.” After two years of all-day Saturday Chinese school, I finally visited Beijing for the first time, expecting I would finally belong. While my face initially assured locals of my Chinese identity, the moment I spoke, my cover was blown. My Chinese was littered with tonal errors, and I was instantly labeled as an “ABC,” American-born Chinese.

I felt culturally homeless.

Speak from your own experience

Highlight your actions, difficulties, and feelings rather than comparing yourself to others. While it may be tempting to write about how you have been more or less fortunate than those around you, keep the focus on you and your unique experiences, as shown below.

I began to despair when the FAFSA website once again filled with red error messages.

I had been at the local library for hours and hadn’t even been able to finish the form, much less the other to-do items for my application.

I am the first person in my family to even consider going to college. My parents work two jobs each, but even then, it’s sometimes very hard to make ends meet. Rather than playing soccer or competing in speech and debate, I help my family by taking care of my younger siblings after school and on the weekends.

“We only speak one language here. Speak proper English!” roared a store owner when I had attempted to buy bread and accidentally used the wrong preposition.

In middle school, I had relentlessly studied English grammar textbooks and received the highest marks.

Leaving Seoul was hard, but living in West Orange, New Jersey was much harder一especially navigating everyday communication with Americans.

After sharing relevant personal stories, make sure to provide insight into how your lived experience has influenced your perspective, activities, and goals. You should also explain how your background led you to apply to this university and why you’re a good fit.

Include your outlook, actions, and goals

Conclude your essay with an insight about how your background or identity has affected your outlook, actions, and goals. You should include specific actions and activities that you have done as a result of your insight.

One night, before the midnight premiere of Avengers: Endgame , I stopped by my best friend Maria’s house. Her mother prepared tamales, churros, and Mexican hot chocolate, packing them all neatly in an Igloo lunch box. As we sat in the line snaking around the AMC theater, I thought back to when Maria and I took salsa classes together and when we belted out Selena’s “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” at karaoke. In that moment, as I munched on a chicken tamale, I realized how much I admired the beauty, complexity, and joy in Maria’s culture but had suppressed and devalued my own.

The following semester, I joined Model UN. Since then, I have learned how to proudly represent other countries and have gained cultural perspectives other than my own. I now understand that all cultures, including my own, are equal. I still struggle with small triggers, like when I go through airport security and feel a suspicious glance toward me, or when I feel self-conscious for bringing kabsa to school lunch. But in the future, I hope to study and work in international relations to continue learning about other cultures and impart a positive impression of Saudi culture to the world.

The smell of the early morning dew and the welcoming whinnies of my family’s horses are some of my most treasured childhood memories. To this day, our farm remains so rural that we do not have broadband access, and we’re too far away from the closest town for the postal service to reach us.

Going to school regularly was always a struggle: between the unceasing demands of the farm and our lack of connectivity, it was hard to keep up with my studies. Despite being a voracious reader, avid amateur chemist, and active participant in the classroom, emergencies and unforeseen events at the farm meant that I had a lot of unexcused absences.

Although it had challenges, my upbringing taught me resilience, the value of hard work, and the importance of family. Staying up all night to watch a foal being born, successfully saving the animals from a minor fire, and finding ways to soothe a nervous mare afraid of thunder have led to an unbreakable family bond.

Our farm is my family’s birthright and our livelihood, and I am eager to learn how to ensure the farm’s financial and technological success for future generations. In college, I am looking forward to joining a chapter of Future Farmers of America and studying agricultural business to carry my family’s legacy forward.

Tailor your answer to the university

After explaining how your identity or background will enrich the university’s existing student body, you can mention the university organizations, groups, or courses in which you’re interested.

Maybe a larger public school setting will allow you to broaden your community, or a small liberal arts college has a specialized program that will give you space to discover your voice and identity. Perhaps this particular university has an active affinity group you’d like to join.

Demonstrating how a university’s specific programs or clubs are relevant to you can show that you’ve done your research and would be a great addition to the university.

At the University of Michigan Engineering, I want to study engineering not only to emulate my mother’s achievements and strength, but also to forge my own path as an engineer with disabilities. I appreciate the University of Michigan’s long-standing dedication to supporting students with disabilities in ways ranging from accessible housing to assistive technology. At the University of Michigan Engineering, I want to receive a top-notch education and use it to inspire others to strive for their best, regardless of their circumstances.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Transition words
• Passive voice
• Paraphrasing

 Communication

• How to end an email
• Ms, mrs, miss
• How to start an email
• I hope this email finds you well
• Hope you are doing well

 Parts of speech

• Personal pronouns
• Conjunctions

In addition to your main college essay , some schools and scholarships may ask for a supplementary essay focused on an aspect of your identity or background. This is sometimes called a diversity essay .

Many universities believe a student body composed of different perspectives, beliefs, identities, and backgrounds will enhance the campus learning and community experience.

Admissions officers are interested in hearing about how your unique background, identity, beliefs, culture, or characteristics will enrich the campus community, which is why they assign a diversity essay .

To write an effective diversity essay , include vulnerable, authentic stories about your unique identity, background, or perspective. Provide insight into how your lived experience has influenced your outlook, activities, and goals. If relevant, you should also mention how your background has led you to apply for this university and why you’re a good fit.

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Essays about Culture and Identity: 9 Examples And Prompts

Writing essays about culture and identity will help you explore your understanding of it. Here are examples that will give you inspiration for your next essay .

Culture can refer to customs, traditions, beliefs, lifestyles, laws, artistic expressions, and other elements that cultivate the collective identity. Different cultures are established across nations, regions, communities, and social groups. They are passed on from generation to generation while others evolve or are abolished to give way to modern beliefs and systems.

While our cultural identity begins at home, it changes as we involve ourselves with other groups (friends, educational institutions, social media communities, political groups, etc.) Culture is a very relatable subject as every person is part of a culture or at least can identify with one. Because it spans broad coverage, there are several interesting cultural subjects to write about.

Our culture and identity are dynamic. This is why you may find it challenging to write about it. To spark your inspiration , check out our picks of the best culture essays. 

1. Sweetness and Light by Matthew Arnolds

2. how auto-tune revolutionized the sound of popular music by simon reynolds, 3. how immigration changes language by john mcwhorter, 4. the comfort zone: growing up with charlie brown by jonathan franzen, 5. culture and identity definition by sandra graham, 6. how culture and surroundings influence identity by jeanette lucas, 7. how the food we eat reflects our culture and identity by sophia stephens, 8. identity and culture: my identity, culture, and identity by april casas, 9. how america hinders the cultural identity of their own citizens by seth luna, 1. answer the question, “who am i”, 2. causes of culture shock, 3. your thoughts on dystopia and utopia, 4. gender inequality from a global perspective, 5. the most interesting things you learned from other cultures, 6. the relationship between cultural identity and clothes, 7. describe your culture, 8. what is the importance of honoring your roots , 9. how can a person adapt to a new culture, 10. what artistic works best express your country’s culture, 11. how has social media influenced human interaction, 12. how do you protect the cultures of indigenous peoples, 13. are k-pop and k-drama sensations effectively promoting korea’s culture , 14. what is the importance of cultural diversity.

“… [A]nd when every man may say what he likes, our aspirations ought to be satisfied. But the aspirations of culture, which is the study of perfection, are not satisfied, unless what men say, when they may say what they like, is worth saying,—has good in it, and more good than bad.”

Arnolds compels a re-examination of values at a time when England is leading global industrialization and beginning to believe that greatness is founded on material progress. 

The author elaborates why culture, the strive for a standard of perfection, is not merely driven by scientific passions and, more so, by materialistic affluence. As he esteems religion as “that voice of the deepest human experience” to harmonize men in establishing that ideal society, Arnolds stresses that culture is the effort to “make reason and the will of God prevail” while humanizing gained knowledge to be society’s source of “sweetness and light.”

“Few innovations in sound production have been simultaneously so reviled and so revolutionary. Epoch-defining or epoch-defacing, Auto-Tune is indisputably the sound of the 21st century so far.”

Reynolds shows how Auto-Tune has shaped a pop music genre that has cut across cultures. The article maps out the music landscape Auto-Tune created and examines its impact on the culture of song productions and the modern taste for music. While the author debunks accusations that Auto-Tune destroyed the “natural” process of creating music, he also points out that the technology earned its reverence with big thanks to society’s current custom of using technology to hide blemishes and other imperfections.

Looking for more? Check out these essays about culture shock .

“… [T]he heavy immigration that countries like Italy are experiencing will almost certainly birth new kinds of Italian that are rich with slang , somewhat less elaborate than the standard, and… widely considered signs of linguistic deterioration, heralding a future where the “original” standard language no longer exists.”

American linguist McWhorter pacifies fears over the death of “standard” languages amid the wave of immigration to Europe. On the contrary, language is a vital expression of a culture, and for some, preserving is tantamount to upholding a cultural standard. 

However, instead of seeing the rise of new “multiethnolects” such as the Black English in America and Kiezdeutsch in Germany as threats to language and culture, McWhorter sees them as a new way to communicate and better understand the social groups that forayed these new languages.

“I wonder why “cartoonish” remains such a pejorative. It took me half my life to achieve seeing my parents as cartoons. And to become more perfectly a cartoon myself: what a victory that would be.”

This essay begins with a huge fight between Franzen’s brother and father to show how the cultural generation gap sweeping the 60s has hit closer to home. This generation gap, where young adults were rejecting the elders’ old ways in pursuit of a new and better culture, will also be the reason why his family ends up drifting apart. Throughout the essay , Franzen treads this difficult phase in his youth while narrating fondly how Peanuts, a pop culture icon at the time, was his source of escape. 

“…Culture is… your background… and Identity is formed where you belong to… Leopold Sedar Senghor and Shirley Geok-Lin Lim both talks about how culture and identity can impact… society…”

In this essay , Graham uses “To New York” by Senghor and “Learning To Love America” by Lim as two pieces of literature that effectively describe the role of culture and identity to traveling individuals. 

The author refers to Sengho’s reminder that people can adapt but must not forget their culture even if they go to a different place or country. On the other hand, Lim discusses immigrants’ struggle to have double identities.

“Culture is something that surrounds all of us and progress to shape our lives every day… Identity is illustrated as the state of mind in which someone or something distinguishes their own character traits that lead to determining who they really are, what they represent.”

Lucas is keen on giving examples of how his culture and surroundings influence an individual’s identity. She refers to Kothari’s “If you are what you eat, then what am I?” which discusses Kothari’s search for her identity depending on what food she eats. Food defines a person’s culture and identity, so Kothari believes that eating food from different countries will change his identity.

Lucas also refers to “Down These Mean Streets” by Piri Thomas, which argues how different cultural and environmental factors affect us. Because of what we encounter, there is a possibility that we will become someone who we are not. 

“What we grow is who we are. What we buy is who we are. What we eat is who we are.”

Stephens’ essay teaches its readers that the food we grow and eat defines us as a person. She explains that growing a crop and harvesting it takes a lot of effort, dedication, and patience, which mirrors our identity. 

Another metaphor she used is planting rice: it takes skills and knowledge to make it grow. Cooking rice is more accessible than cultivating it – you can quickly cook rice by boiling it in water. This reflects people rich in culture and tradition but who lives simpler life. 

“Every single one has their own unique identity and culture. Culture plays a big role in shaping your identity. Culture is what made me the person I am today and determines who or what I choose to associate myself with.”

Casas starts her piece by questioning who she is. In trying to learn and define who she is, she writes down and describes herself and her personality throughout the essay . Finally, she concludes that her culture is a big part of her identity, and she must understand it to understand herself.

“When it comes to these stereotypes we place on each other, a lot of the time, we succumb to the stereotypes given to us. And our cultural identity is shaped by these expectations and labels others give us. That is why negative stereotypes sometimes become true for a whole group or community.”

In this essay , Luna talks about how negative stereotyping in the United States led to moral distortion. For example, Americans are assumed to be ignorant of other countries’ cultures, making it difficult to understand other people’s cultures and lifestyles. 

She believes that stereotyping can significantly affect an individual or group’s identity. She suggests Americans should improve their intellectual competence by being sensitive to other people’s cultures.

14 Prompts on Essays about Culture and Identity

You can discuss many things on the subject of culture and identity. To give you a starting point, here are some prompts to help you write an exciting essay about culture. 

If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips and our round-up of the best essay checkers .

Understanding your personality is vital since continuous interaction with others can affect your personality. Write about your culture and identity; what is your personality? How do you define yourself? Everyone is unique, so by writing an essay about who you are, you’ll be able to understand why you act a certain way and connect with readers who have the same values. 

Here’s a guide on writing a descriptive essay to effectively relay your experience to your readers.

Sometimes, people need to get out of their comfort zone and interact with other individuals with different cultures, beliefs, or traditions. This is to broaden one’s perspective about the world. Aside from discussing what you’ve learned in that journey, you can also focus on the bits that shocked you. 

You can talk about a tradition or value that you found so bizarre because it differs from your culture. Then add how you processed it and finally adapted to it.

Dystopia and Utopia are both imagined worlds. Dystopia is a world where people live in the worst or most unfavorable conditions, while Utopia is the opposite. 

You can write an essay about what you think a Dystopian or Utopian world may look like, how these societies will affect their citizens, etc. Then, consider what personality citizens of each world may have to depend on the two worlds’ cultures.

Today, more and more people are fighting for others to accept or at least respect the LGBTQ+ community. However, countries, territories, and religions still question their rights.

In your essay , you can talk about why these institutions react the way they do and how culture dictates someone’s identity in the wrong way. Before creating your own, feel free to read other essays and articles to learn more about the global gender inequality issue. 

The world has diverse cultures, traditions, and values. When you travel to a new place, learning and writing about your firsthand experiences with unique cultures and rituals will always be an interesting read.

In this prompt, you’ll research other cultures and how they shaped their group’s identity. Then, write about the most exciting aspects you’ve learned, why you found them fascinating, and how they differ from your culture.

Those proud of their culture will wear clothes inspired by them. Some wear the same clothes even if they aren’t from the same culture. The debate over cultural appropriation and culture appreciation is still a hot topic. 

In this essay , you may start with the traditions of your community or observances your family celebrates and gathers for. Then, elaborate on their origins and describe how your community or family is preserving these practices. 

Learning about your roots, ancestors, and family cultures can help strengthen your understanding of your identity and foster respect for other cultures. Explore this topic and offer examples of what others have learned. Has the journey always been a positive experience? Delve into this question for an engaging and interesting essay .

When a person moves country, it can be challenging to adapt to a new culture. If there are new people at work or school, you can interview them and ask how they are coping with their new environment. How different is this from what they have been used to, and what unique traditions do they find interesting?

Focus on an art piece that is a source of pride and identity to your country’s culture, much like the Tinikling of the Philippines or the Matryoshka dolls of Russia. Explore its origins and evolution up to its current manifestation and highlight efforts that are striving to protect and promote these artistic works.

The older generation did not have computers in their teen years. Ask about how they dated in their younger years and how they made friends. Contrast how the younger generation is building their social networks today. Write what culture of socialization works better for you and explain why.

Take in-depth navigation of existing policies that protect indigenous peoples. Are they sufficient to serve these communities needs, and are they being implemented effectively? There is also the challenge of balancing the protection of these traditions against the need to protect the environment, as some indigenous practices add to the carbon footprint. How is your government dealing with this challenge?

A large population is now riding the Hallyu or the Korean pop culture, with many falling in love with the artists and Korea’s food, language, and traditional events. Research how certain Korean films, TV series, or music have effectively attracted fans to experience Korea’s culture. Write about what countries can learn from Korea in promoting their own cultures.

Environments that embrace cultural diversity are productive and innovative. To start your essay , assess how diverse your workplace or school is. Then, write your personal experiences where working with co-workers or classmates from different cultures led to new and innovative ideas and projects. Combine this with the personal experiences of your boss or the principal to see how your environment benefits from hosting a melting pot of cultures.

If you aim for your article to effectively change readers’ perspectives and align with your opinion, read our guide to achieving persuasive writing . 

How to Write an Essay about Your Culture

Do you need to write an essay about your culture but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place! I’m Constance, and I’ll show you how to write an essay about your culture. I’ll guide you step by step, and we’ll write a sample essay together. Let’s dive in. 

Writing an essay about your culture includes 5 steps:

Step 1. Plan how many words you want in each paragraph.

When you know the exact number of words you need for an essay, planning the word count for each paragraph will be much easier. 

For example, a 300-word essay typically consists of five paragraphs and three key elements:

• The introductory paragraph.
• Three body paragraphs.
• The conclusion, or the concluding paragraph.

Here’s a simple way to distribute 300 words across the five paragraphs in your essay:

You’ll get 300 when you add up these numbers. 

Step 2. Decide on what your main and supporting points will be.

First, you must take a stand, meaning you must decide on your main point. What do you really want to say about your culture? Whatever you want to say, that becomes your thesis. 

For example, “My culture is very rich.” That is enough to get started. You’ll get a better idea of how to expand or tweak your thesis after the next step.

Next, divide your topic using the Power of Three to prove the point that your culture is rich using three supporting ideas.

The Power of Three effectively divides an essay’s main idea into its supporting points. It means your main idea is true because of the three reasons you will provide in the body. So, it is a three-part structure that helps produce your body paragraphs .

Let’s try it for an essay about Filipino culture!

For example, here are three supporting ideas explaining the richness of Filipino culture:

• The Philippines has incredible food .
• Traditional Filipino clothing reflects the country’s heritage.
• Family values in the Philippines are essential.

Great! Now we have everything we need to write an essay about Filipino culture. We’re all set for the next step!

Step 3. Write your introductory paragraph.

Here are the key components of an introductory paragraph you need to remember in writing your essay:

Our first sentence is the introduction, which should pull our reader into the world we want to portray in our essay.

And the rest of the introductory paragraph is our thesis statement. It includes our main idea and three supporting points.

Example of an introductory paragraph about culture

“Having been colonized for centuries, the Philippines boasts a vast heritage. It has a rich culture characterized by food, clothing, and family values. Filipino culture has delicious food inherited from diverse parts of the world and periods of conquest. Traditional Filipino clothing reflects the country’s history, as well. And Filipinos prize their family values probably above all else.”

Look at how the introductory paragraph goes from a general statement to specific ideas that support our main idea.

Our introductory sentence is a general statement that serves as the opening in our essay. It briefly sets the essay’s context. Next comes the thesis statement — our main idea. Finally, we have three supporting ideas for our thesis.

Step 4. Write your essay’s body paragraphs.

Again, a 300-word essay typically has three body paragraphs containing your three supporting ideas. Here’s how to structure a body paragraph:

Looking back at our word count plan, we know that our body paragraphs should have roughly 70 words each. Remember your word plan as you write.

Body Paragraph 1

“The Philippines boasts a diverse food culture. It reflects indigenous flavors and foreign influences, such as American, Spanish, Indian, and Chinese. Whether it’s a typical or special day, Filipinos love eating these various dishes with rice, a staple. For example, rice goes well with curry, noodles, and adobo. It is also common to see various foods like pizza, pancit, lumpia, paella, (Filipino-style) sweet spaghetti, cakes, and ice cream at parties.”

As you can see, the first sentence in this body paragraph is a topic sentence . It gives context to the paragraph and briefly summarizes it.

The second sentence explains why the Philippine food culture is considered diverse. 

The remaining sentences illustrate your main point (topic sentence) by providing examples, starting with rice in sentence 3.

Body Paragraph 2

“Traditional Filipino clothing reflects Philippine cultural heritage. Although Filipinos now conform to current fashion trends in their everyday lives, the traditional clothing style is often used during celebrations. The traditional fashion sense exhibits influences from indigenous tribes, Chinese immigration waves, the Spaniards, and Americans, portraying the chronology of Philippine historical events. For example, the Philippines’ national costume, the baro’t saya, is an elegant blend of Spanish and Filipino clothing styles. Even some modernized forms of clothing also display other global influences.”

Just like Body Paragraph 1, this paragraph follows the same structure outlined in the diagram. It proceeds from a general statement to more specific points :

• The topic sentence.
• An explanation.

Body Paragraph 3

“Family values are vital in the Philippines. The daily lives of most Filipinos revolve around close and extended family, making them known for their family-oriented lifestyle even when they’re overseas. It’s common for children to live with their parents after reaching legal age; some even stay after getting married or obtaining a job. Filipinos also cherish their extended families (aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins) and hanging out or celebrating significant events together.”

Once again, this paragraph follows the body paragraph structure. Now, we’re all set for the final step — the conclusion.

Step 5. Write the conclusion.

The easiest way to write a concluding paragraph for your essay on your culture is to restate your main idea and its supporting points using different words. You can even paraphrase your introduction — a time-proven method!

Let’s write the conclusion for our essay.

“Because of its history, the Philippines has a rich, diverse culture rooted in a vast heritage. Filipino cuisine is a blend of indigenous and foreign flavors. The nation’s history is reflected in its traditional clothing. And family values display a distinct Filipino trait.”

Note that this conclusion uses different words to restate the points we’ve already made, including those in the body paragraphs. 

Hope this was helpful. Now go ahead and write an essay about your culture!

Tutor Phil is an e-learning professional who helps adult learners finish their degrees by teaching them academic writing skills.

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Am I me or who my culture has shaped me to be?

As people we naturally cohabit, collaborate and form communities. We share qualities, abilities, emotions and experiences, which are characteristic of our cultural identity, yet differentiate in our being.

Not everything in life can be planned and not all decisions taken are in our power. Some things happen to us randomly, unexpectedly and out of the blue. These are the situations which shake and awaken us, and I believe that one of these wonders is birth.

I didn’t know I was going to be born and I didn’t know that I was going to be me. But who am I? Why am I? What am I exactly? Questions as such, regarding one’s identity, have tormented the human mind for cen- turies and continue to remain unanswered. Maybe there simply is no exact answer, because an identity is an abstract construct and its meaning can therefore vary from person to person.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines the term «identity» as such: «who a person is, or the qualities of a person or group that make them different from others.» Substantially, this means that we all possess different qualities and therefore are all different. But don’t we often find similarities among each other? Do we not form communities because of these similarities? These questions constitute the concept of what is cultural identity, which aims at questioning and defining our identity based on the traditions, culture and nations we are born and brought up in.

What characterizes my cultural identity? If we think of ourselves as people with qualities, abilities and opinions, then the place of birth and upbringing is essential for the formation of our identity. If we however further distinguish the physical place and the emotional state of our childhood habitat, we notice that more than the concrete country itself, it is the experienced culture which has a stronger influence on the formation of our identities.

Our birth setup from a national and cultural perspective (our family and friends with their religion, beliefs, traditions) is at the very core for the shaping of our cultural identity. Depending on where and in which family one is born in to, the opportunities given, the experiences made and the values taught, the formed identity will be very different from someone elses. An individual born in a given country and emotional state adapts to its habitat and surroundings by nature, developing its identity consequently around associated characteristics (such as being naturally loud, disciplined, individualistic). And although it does not exclude the option to further expand one’s personality and identity, unconsciously it strongly influences our way of being.

How am I me in a community of many? Cultural communities are formed around shared cultural experiences and/or other national similarities which make and individual feel like part of something. This cultural identity which over time becomes representative for an individual is however not all what makes us the person we are. In the melting pot that we live in today, our identities are only more diverse and complex than ever.

As individuals we are unexplainable unities of qualities, abilities, emotions and experiences, differentiating one from another. Knowing that we belong to something is a beautiful feeling, but when we learn to define the person we are it is even more beautiful: it is an exceptional feeling.

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Cultural Self-Awareness: A Comprehensive Guide to Its Roots

Cultural self-awareness is the conscious recognition of one's own cultural identity and influences. This self-awareness is a crucial component of cultural competence, allowing individuals to interact more effectively and empathetically with people from diverse backgrounds. It is a continuous journey of self-exploration and learning, which not only enhances personal growth but also strengthens professional and social interactions. 

Sanju Pradeepa

Ever wonder where you came from and how your family history shaped who you are? Understanding your roots is key to developing cultural self-awareness. In this post, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step process to trace your ancestry and connect with your heritage. From researching your genealogy to exploring cultural traditions, you’ll gain meaningful perspective on your identity.

I’ll share tips for gathering family stories and traveling to ancestral homelands. You’ll also learn how to embrace and celebrate the one-of-a-kind mosaic that makes you who you are. So join me on a journey to discover your origins and gain newfound pride in the diverse threads of your tapestry. Let’s dive into your cultural background and unearth your unique sense of belonging

Table of Contents

What is cultural self-awareness.

Cultural self-awareness means understanding how your cultural background has shaped you. It involves reflecting on the beliefs, values, and assumptions you’ve developed as a result of your upbringing and environment.

Your Cultural Identity : Your cultural identity refers to the culture you most identify with based on factors like ethnicity, nationality, language, religion, and geography. The culture you’re born into has a significant impact on your values, behaviors, and way of thinking before you’re even aware of it.

The Influence of Culture : The culture you grew up in influenced you in both obvious and subtle ways. From an early age, you learned cultural norms, beliefs, and expectations from your family, community, and society. These teachings shaped your perceptions of the world and your place in it. They influence how you think, communicate, work, and interact with others.

Developing cultural self-awareness allows you to understand yourself better and appreciate the diversity in others. It helps reduce judgment and fosters openness, empathy, and inclusiveness. You can navigate cultural differences more effectively and avoid miscommunication or unintentionally offending someone from a different background than your own.

In summary, becoming culturally self-aware leads to greater understanding, sensitivity, and connection between people from all walks of life. And in today’s global world, that is a skill we could all benefit from developing.

Understanding Your Cultural Background

To truly understand yourself, you need to understand where you came from. Your cultural background encompasses a variety of factors like ethnicity, race, religion, and national origin. It shapes your beliefs, values, and behaviors in profound ways.

Your Ethnicity and Race : Your ethnicity refers to cultural factors like language, ancestry, and traditions. Your race refers to physical characteristics like skin color. Both have a significant impact on your cultural identity. Think about your family’s ethnic and racial background. How has it influenced the language you speak, the food you eat, and the holidays you celebrate? Understanding these connections can provide insight into yourself.

Your Religion or Belief System : For many, faith or spirituality is an integral part of their culture. Consider how your religious or belief system has shaped your values and worldview. What traditions or rituals do you practice? How has your faith community supported you? Reflecting on these questions can highlight how your beliefs permeate your cultural identity.

Your national origin—the country your family is from or the one you identify with culturally—also helps shape who you are. National origin influences cultural elements like dress, music, and pastimes. Think about the national values and symbols that you identify with. How do they make you feel connected to that cultural community? Exploring your national origin provides another lens into your cultural roots.

Gaining insight into your cultural background takes reflection and patience. But by understanding the ethnic, religious, and national influences in your life, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself—where you came from and where you’re going. Identity is a journey, so start by looking within.

What are Cultural Beliefs: An Introduction to Belief Systems

Recognizing your own cultural biases and prejudices.

A key step to developing cultural self-awareness is acknowledging your own biases and prejudices. We all have them; it’s part of being human. The beliefs and stereotypes you grew up with can shape your views in subtle ways you may not even realize.

Take some time to reflect on your cultural assumptions and tendencies. Do you make snap judgments about people from certain ethnic or socioeconomic backgrounds? Do you believe some cultures are inherently superior to others? These prejudices often form early and can be hard to recognize in yourself. But facing them head-on is the only way to overcome them.

As you examine your biases, think about their roots. Were they messages you received from family, friends, media, or society at large? Understanding their origin can help you see why those views took hold and why they’re flawed. Also, consider how your biases influence your daily thoughts and interactions. Do they impact how you treat or think about people from other cultures? Acknowledging specific examples will make the changes you need to make more clear.

Overcoming cultural biases is a lifelong process. But the first step is to develop an awareness of them through honest self-reflection. As you notice prejudices arise, make an effort to challenge them with an open and empathetic mindset. Seek to understand other cultures on their own terms, not just in comparison to your own. And remember, everyone is equally human; our cultural differences are only surface-level. With continuous work, you can overcome harmful biases and become more culturally sensitive. But it starts by recognizing them in yourself.

What are Cultural Values? A Comprehensive Guide for All

Becoming open to different cultures.

To become open to different cultures, you first need to recognize that every culture has value. Rather than judging other cultures based on your own cultural norms, try approaching them with an open and curious mindset.

Ask yourself questions about other cultures to gain understanding. For example, consider why certain traditions or beliefs may have developed or how they help shape cultural identities. Recognize that there are many ways for human societies to thrive and that cultural diversity makes humanity richer as a whole.

Make an effort to expose yourself to cultural influences beyond your own. Read books, watch movies, listen to music, cook meals, or travel to places that highlight different cultural traditions. Even following social media influencers from diverse backgrounds can help expand your perspective. The more you expose yourself , the more normal and relatable other cultures will feel.

Look for opportunities to connect with people from different cultures. Strike up a conversation with a neighbor or coworker and ask them questions about their cultural background and experiences. Look for local cultural groups or events in your area and attend with an open mind. Traveling to other countries is also a great way to gain firsthand experience with different cultures, if you’re able to. Rather than making assumptions, ask respectful questions. Be willing to listen without judgment as people share details about cultural beliefs or experiences that differ from your own. Look for common ground and shared values that transcend cultural differences. Treat people the way you would want to be treated.

Becoming open to different cultures requires continuous effort and practice. But by nurturing your curiosity about diversity and seeking to understand rather than judge others, you’ll find yourself embracing cultural differences more easily over time. And you’ll discover that there is more that unites us as humans than divides us.

The Importance of Cultural Values in the 21st Century

Developing cross-cultural communication skills.

To communicate effectively across cultures, you need to increase your self-awareness and understanding of cultural differences. Consider how your own cultural values and experiences shape your perspectives and interactions. What are your assumptions and biases? How do they influence the way you interpret behaviors and communicate with others? Asking these types of reflective questions can help you become more open-minded and culturally sensitive.

Learn About Other Cultures

Do some research on the cultural backgrounds of those you interact with regularly. Study cultural values, communication styles, and business practices. Look for both similarities and differences compared to your own culture. This knowledge will help you interpret interactions appropriately and avoid misunderstandings.

Observe Cultural Differences

Pay close attention to how people from different cultures communicate in various situations. Notice things like eye contact, gestures, greetings, decision-making styles, and approaches to conflict. Try to understand the reasons behind these cultural differences instead of judging them as “strange” or “inappropriate.” With an open and curious mindset, you can learn a great deal through direct observation.

Adapt Your Communication Style

Once you have a better understanding of a culture, adapt your communication style to be more effective. Make eye contact, use gestures, greet people, and express yourself in ways that are culturally appropriate and help to build rapport. Adjust your tone, pace, and word choice to suit different cultural contexts. The ability to adapt in these ways is a hallmark of skilled cross-cultural communicators.

Ask Questions and Share Information

Don’t be afraid to ask polite questions about cultural norms and styles. People will usually appreciate your interest in learning about their culture. Also, share information about your own cultural background to build mutual understanding. Engage in genuine dialogue and exchange, not just one-way questioning.

Building cross-cultural communication skills takes conscious effort and practice. But by increasing your cultural self-awareness and focusing on understanding others, you can overcome barriers to making meaningful connections across all types of cultural differences.

Tips for Interacting With People From Different Cultures

To interact respectfully with those from different cultural backgrounds, start by acknowledging your own cultural roots and how they shape you. Recognize that your defaults aren’t universal. The way you communicate, your values and habits , and your assumptions about etiquette are learned from your own culture. Don’t assume others share them.

Next, do some research on the cultural norms of the groups you’ll interact with.  Learn about communication styles, values, taboos, and etiquette. For instance, some cultures value indirect communication and politeness over efficiency . Others prioritize hospitality and community over independence. Understanding these differences will help you avoid offending others or causing discomfort.

When interacting, focus on listening and observation.  Pay attention to the other person’s style of communication and follow their lead. Also, observe how people interact with each other. Look for cues in appropriate greetings, posture, eye contact, and conversation topics. Don’t be afraid to politely ask questions about cultural norms. Most people will appreciate your interest in learning.

Show interest in learning more about the other culture.  Ask open-ended questions about traditions, values, and experiences that shape their cultural perspective. Share information about your own background too to build mutual understanding. Look for opportunities to collaborate and participate in meaningful exchanges.

Make an effort to learn some greetings, phrases, or customs of the other culture. Even a small attempt goes a long way in demonstrating your respect. Pronounce names and terms properly. Be aware of appropriate gestures and body language. Follow the lead of your hosts or colleagues on things like seating arrangements, toasts, or dress. Accept that you may feel uncomfortable at times, but facing that discomfort builds character and cultural competence.

With an open and curious mindset, you can build connection across cultural differences. Focus on listening, learning, and finding common ground. Your interactions may feel awkward or imperfect, but pushing past discomfort is how we grow. With time and effort, interacting with cultural diversity can become natural and rewarding.

Continuously Educating Yourself About Other Cultures

As cultures and values evolve over time, it’s important to make continuous learning a habit. Learn about the cultures that surround you, as well as those that seem very different. Start by reading books, blogs, or articles on cultural topics that interest you. Follow accounts on social media that share information about different cultural groups. Watch documentaries on cultural traditions, values, and histories that are unfamiliar to you.

Seek out opportunities to expose yourself to cultural experiences outside your norm. Visit museums, places of worship, cultural centers, and events in your area. Experience cultural traditions like food, music, dance, and festivals. Some events may allow you to participate, while others may be more observational. Either way, immerse yourself in the experience.

Traveling to other countries and regions is also tremendously valuable, if you are able to do so. Nothing is more valuable than immersing yourself in another culture firsthand. But if international travel isn’t possible, explore cultural neighborhoods in your own city or state. Try new restaurants with cuisines you’ve never tasted. Shop at stores that cater to different cultural groups. Strike up friendly conversations with people from diverse backgrounds.

Continuously learning about cultures beyond your own leads to greater understanding, empathy, and connection between people. Make it a lifelong practice to open your mind to new cultural insights and experiences whenever possible. Our shared humanity becomes more apparent the more we understand each other. And the more you understand other cultures, the more you may gain valuable perspective on your own.

Stepping Outside Your Cultural Comfort Zone

You may feel most at ease surrounded by familiar cultural norms, values and behaviors. However, limiting yourself to what is comfortable and familiar can narrow your perspective and prevent growth. Stepping outside your cultural comfort zone from time to time is important for developing cultural self-awareness and building empathy.

Try exposing yourself to different cultural activities and events in your local community. Attend a religious service for a faith other than your own or visit an ethnic cultural center or museum. Make an effort to understand different cultural traditions by reading about them or even participating if you’re invited to do so. Engaging in intercultural dialogue and asking open-minded questions is key. Traveling to

Don’t underestimate the value of smaller steps. Strike up a genuine conversation with someone from a different ethnic background. Ask them questions about their cultural values and experiences, and listen without judgment.

Challenging stereotypes and prejudices you may hold-even unconsciously-is essential work. Notice when you make assumptions about others and question why you view them that way. Seek out opinions and stories that counter commonly held stereotypes. Follow public figures from a variety of cultural backgrounds to expand your perspective.

Pushing beyond the familiar may feel awkward and uncomfortable initially. That discomfort usually comes from confronting biases and realizing the narrowness of your previous views. Lean into that discomfort; it means you’re learning and growing in meaningful ways. With an open and willing attitude, you can gain valuable insight into yourself and others. Stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing cultural differences will enrich you in ways you never imagined.

Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone: Embrace Change

Seeing the world from different cultural perspectives.

To develop a strong sense of cultural self-awareness, it’s important to understand how different cultures view and interact with the world. Your cultural lens shapes how you interpret everything around you, but other cultures have their own unique lenses. Exposing yourself to diverse perspectives can help broaden your mindset and gain valuable insight into yourself and others.

Try putting aside your cultural assumptions and seeing through the eyes of different groups. For example, individualistic cultures like the U.S. and Canada emphasize personal achievement, while collectivist cultures like China and Japan focus on community and group harmony. If you’re from an individualistic culture, imagine what it’s like to value group needs over your own. How might that shape your choices and behaviors?

Religions also represent distinct worldviews. As a Christian, try to understand Islamic or Hindu beliefs from an insider’s perspective. What spiritual truths or life principles do they hold that you can appreciate? Similarly, learn about cultures that differ from your own in terms of economic or social ideology. A capitalist viewpoint will differ greatly from a communist one, just as a culture that values strict social hierarchies will contrast with one that emphasizes equality.

Dig into cultural art forms, myths, and stories, which often reveal what a group finds meaningful or sacred. Anthropological resources on cultural traditions, rites of passage, and daily life can teach you a lot about what people in that culture prioritize and how they see themselves in relation to others. Travel, if you’re able, and immerse yourself in cultures different from your own. Nothing educates you like direct experience.

Recognizing that your culture is one of many worldviews, not the “right” or only way of thinking, leads to openness, empathy, and compassion. And by embracing diverse cultural perspectives, you gain a richer understanding of yourself and what has shaped you. This kind of self-knowledge and intercultural understanding is so important in our increasingly global and pluralistic society. Expand your mind-see the world through different eyes.

Seeking Out Diverse Perspectives and Experiences

Immersing yourself in diverse perspectives and experiences is vital for developing cultural self-awareness. The more you expose yourself to cultures different from your own, the more you’ll understand cultural values and norms—and your own cultural biases .

Seek out media from different cultural viewpoints, like podcasts, YouTube channels, books, movies, TV shows, and music. Follow influencers from a variety of backgrounds on social media. Travel to experience different cultures firsthand when possible. Even exploring diverse neighborhoods in your own city can provide valuable exposure.

Engage in meaningful conversations with people from different walks of life. Ask open-ended questions about their experiences and perspectives. Listen without judgment and reflect on your reactions. Look for opportunities to work with diverse colleagues. Mentor or volunteer to help underserved groups in your community.

Consider a study abroad program or cultural exchange. Living in another culture, even for a short time, is a profoundly eye-opening experience. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for that culture’s values and daily life. You may also view your own culture through a new lens.

Reflect regularly on your experiences and interactions. How did they challenge your assumptions or stereotypes ? What did you learn about that culture’s values and way of life? How did they make you feel, and why did you have that reaction? Journaling about these reflections can lead to powerful insights.

While becoming culturally self-aware is a lifelong process, seeking out diverse perspectives and experiences is how you’ll make progress. Approach each new encounter with an open and curious mind. Look for the humanity you share with others, not the differences that separate you. Your understanding and empathy will grow with each interaction.

Cultural self-awareness is understanding your own cultural identity, beliefs, biases, and behaviors. Developing this awareness takes time and reflection. Here are some common questions about the cultural self-awareness journey:

Where do I start? Begin by reflecting on your cultural background and upbringing. Think about your family’s values and traditions. Consider how your cultural identity has shaped your perspectives and behaviors. Discuss these reflections with others who share your cultural background. Their insights can help deepen your understanding.

What cultures have influenced me? The cultures that shape you extend beyond your ethnic heritage. Consider the regional culture you grew up in, your family’s socioeconomic status, your religion or spirituality, and other groups you belong to. All of these cultures combine to form your cultural identity. 

What are my biases? We all have implicit biases based on our cultural conditioning. Notice when you have strong negative or positive reactions to people from certain groups. Ask yourself what assumptions or stereotypes might be influencing those reactions. Look for patterns in your thinking that could lead to prejudiced behavior. Awareness of your biases is the first step to overcoming them.

How does my culture affect my interactions with others? Your cultural background influences how you communicate, perceive social cues, and interpret behaviors. Cultural norms shape concepts like personal space, eye contact, and emotional expression. Understanding these differences can help you connect across cultures by adapting your style and avoiding miscommunications.

Becoming culturally self-aware takes continuous work. Make it a habit to reflect regularly on how your cultural identity impacts your thoughts and actions. Discuss your insights with others, and listen with an open mind to different cultural perspectives. This lifelong learning process will lead to a greater understanding of yourself and others.

• Developing knowledge and understanding of diverse perspectives, global awareness, or other cultures Author: David Pollock, IDEA
• Developing cross-cultural communication skills. Authors:  Jenni Gilleard  and  John D. Gilleard , Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, Volume 128, Issue 4, https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1052-3928(2002)128:4(187)
• Cultural bias and practices may influence what the person believes happened . From:  Child Abuse Investigation Field Guide, 2015
• C ultural Self-Awareness as Awareness of Culture’s Influence on the Self: Implications for Cultural Identification and Well-Being by Chieh Lu   ,  Ching Wan PMID:  29359626 DOI:  10.1177/0146167217752117

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How my family's diversity has shaped me into a well-rounded person.

nkhattri 6 / 33   Nov 22, 2009   #1 1. Describe the world you come from - for example, your family, community or school - and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations. * I am a teenager who aspires to fulfill my dreams and aspirations. I plan to use the insight I have gained from my background to positively change the world. As the first member of my family to become a citizen of the United States, I had a unique upbringing which influenced me to persevere and achieve my goals. My parents moved to America, their land of opportunity, to build a future for themselves and their children. Because they were from modest backgrounds in India and were raised in the poorest states, my parents initially struggled to succeed. To make matters more difficult, they were educated in local dialects and spoke very little English. Nevertheless, believing in their capacity to achieve and intent on success, both pursued higher education. I am truly inspired by how sheer determination and hard work have empowered them to excel in their professional environments. I am proud of my mother who has achieved significant successes without sacrificing her traditional roles as a wife and mother. As a teacher, she has been recognized nationally for her excellence in technology integration and has been promoted to an administrative position in her school district. My mother's story is a reflection of the potential our country has as the melting pot of the world, and it has taught me to embrace new experiences and people. Growing up in Edison, New Jersey also epitomizes this ideal because I am surrounded by neighbors, fellow classmates, and teachers who have their own success stories. My exposure to a diverse community and my family background have inspired in me the desire to positively change the world. Ultimately, my goal is to redress injustice in the world by contributing to the field of political science. To begin fulfilling my aspirations, I have been an activist for the rights of the elderly, children, and animals. I have also aligned myself with numerous organizations which aim to endorse change through direct assistance (should I give an example?). My admiration for the righteousness of our government has also been demonstrated through my interest in history and the legal system. Apart from the rigorous history courses that I have taken during high school, I participated in a ten day program that discussed civil and criminal law. Through lectures, simulations, and debates, I was able to grasp the key concepts of our justice system. Apart from academics and extra-curricular activities, I am motivated to effect positive changes in the world. My steps toward becoming a public servant have reinforced the significant roles that education and dedication have played in creating a well-rounded and informed student and citizen. I believe that my exposure to diversity has been a source of inspiration, has made me a more sensitive human being, and has prepared me for the rigors of a four year college education. I'm new to this and I'd really appreciate the help, and I'll be sure to edit your work as well. Thank you! Naveena Khattri

cuddles 3 / 10   Nov 22, 2009   #2 By average standards, I am a teenager who aspires to fulfill my dreams and aspirations. However, as an individual, I plan to use the insight I have gained from my background to fulfill my dreams - redundant of enacting beneficial change in the world - this sentence is a bit clumsy. Change it. My parents moved to America, their land of opportunity . If you put this within commas, you will be sounding sarcastic or telling the readers they don't know something you do, which of course you will have to reveal in your essay. If that is the case, use the commas. I am particularly inspired by my mother who has achieved significant successes without sacrificing her traditional roles as a wife and mother- don't tell me you can count success!! mother's is correct embrace sounds better As for the simple, grammatical errors microsoft word will point them out for you. BTW, what is this for?? common app??

OP nkhattri 6 / 33   Nov 23, 2009   #3 No its for UC Apps. and thanks for the insight.

colorfuloving 6 / 31   Nov 23, 2009   #4 Why hello (: First off, maybe you should consider a more catchy opening line? My exposure to a diverse community and my family background have inspired me in the desire to positively impact the world (to positively change the world?) - could do without the part in red [: "the elderly (the elderly are humans too)" - this part is awkward. Maybe take out that parenthetical comment, or just take out "humans" earlier in the sentence? --- unless it's one of those extra comments you made as part of your editing/questions... I can't really tell hahaha I opted to participate (participated?) - I'd go with participate. I like your general idea a lot (and pol. sci has always sounded fascinating to me, so that's awesome)! Maybe you should work a bit more on overall flow - the story about your parents is very cool but then transitioning from that to "redressing injustice" doesn't seem connective. Also, you shouldn't beat around the bush with your wording. I think adcoms would appreciate something more straightforward and sincere than something laden with fancy vocab (I really need to work on this too lol). Good luck [[:

OP nkhattri 6 / 33   Nov 23, 2009   #5 Colorloving, can you read through that. It's been thoroughly edited so let me know if you find anything wrong with it. the parenthetical stuff is alternate ways to state waht i'm trying to get at but i'm not sure which ones work better. Thanks.

colorfuloving 6 / 31   Nov 25, 2009   #6 heyhey [: alrighty, the revised version flows much better! I still think you could do with a better opening buuut that's just me *__* they were educated in local dialects - a bit unclear About those organizations which you have been aligned with - I think you could do without examples because you must have mentioned those organizations somewhere in your application already [: I think the sentence about growing up in Edison (hey, I think I have relatives there! haha) is superfluous. Your essay would flow just as nicely from the "My mother's story" to the "My exposure" sentences, imho. Also, you use "positively change the world" AND "effect positive changes in the world." Maybe change one of those -- they're in the last paragraph. Other than that, I like your last paragraph (strong words!), and I hope you do well [: ~btw, will you read my essay about k-pop? :D

Psyche - / 4   Nov 25, 2009   #7 Hi, I was reading your first paragraph and saw we have quite a bit in common, if you would like you could check out my second paragraph here (check my profile) to help you out in the writing process. Good Luck!

OP nkhattri 6 / 33   Nov 28, 2009   #8 thanks guys!

channy - / 15   Nov 28, 2009   #9 "I am a teenager who aspires to fulfill my dreams and aspirations. " i would try not putting the words "dreams and aspirations" in the beginning of your essay since its in the prompt. it sort of sounds like u are just restating the prompt and you should be more personal...let your voice be heard with this essay!

OP nkhattri 6 / 33   Nov 28, 2009   #10 thanks i revised the whole essay and submitted it today.

dcarreno1 1 / 20   Nov 28, 2009   #11 You might want to change aspire to inspire As Being the first member of my family to become a U.S. citizen of the United States , I had a unique upbringing which that influenced me to persevere and achieve my goals. As a teacher, she has been recognized nationally for her excellence in technology integration , and has been promoted to an administrative position in her school district. Aspirations are not clear. OH you already submit it. GOOD LUCK then :)

How My Life Experiences Have Shaped My Personal and Academic Growth

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Early influences, overcoming adversity, academic exploration, pursuing excellence, embracing diversity, shaping my aspirations, conclusion and gratitude.

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