How to Learn About Other Cultures

Co-authored by Alicia Oglesby and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: January 7, 2023 References

If you’ve been living in one place for a while, you might be itching to learn about different cultures. Learning about other cultures is an invaluable experience—not only will you get more experience in other areas of the world, you’ll also meet a diverse range of people from different backgrounds. We’ve compiled some tips to help get you started so you can learn about other cultures in a respectful, appreciative way.

1

Watch foreign films

Experience media from different countries. You can head to your local library and ask for foreign films, or you can look them up on a streaming service. If you don’t know the language, put on the subtitles so you know what’s going on while you watch.^{[1]
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- You can also look for documentaries about other cultures. These are usually more informative, and you might learn more from a documentary than a film.

2

Follow foreign social media pages

Find organizations dedicated to promoting other cultures. You can look for pages like this on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even TikTok. It’s a great way to learn about a culture’s values, cuisine, and fashion.^{[2]
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- Try searching through hashtags related to that specific culture to find pages dedicated to it.
- Look for culture-specific pages by searching “the culture” + “food,” “cuisine,” “travel,” or “guide.”

3

Look up culturally diverse YouTube videos

Many channels dedicate themselves to educating others. Often, these videos are produced by people that come from that culture, or at least know a lot about it. Try looking up the culture you’re interested in to learn more about it through videos and online tutorials.^{[3]
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- Search things like, “Learn about French culture,” or “What do people in India commonly eat?”
- Many YouTube channels talk about subjects like news, history, or gender norms. Search for videos with a specific subject in mind.
- If there’s anything you’re confused about, ask questions in the comment sections of YouTube videos.

4

Read online news from other cultures

Stay up to date on current events. Subscribe to newspapers from that culture online to know more about what they are reading. Browse websites with data on entertainment, outings, politics, or trends. Even if you don’t speak the language, you can usually find an English translation.^{[4]
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- For example, search for “French news in English.”
- To find a list of newspapers from around the globe, check out https://newspaperindex.com/ or http://abyznewslinks.com/

5

Check out travel books

You can find a ton at your local library or bookstore. They can give you ideas about international destinations, cuisine, and cultural norms. Look for a book dedicated to the country or area you want to learn about to find out more.^{[5]
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- You can check out a guide to your chosen culture, or read travel journals by people who have spent time in that culture.
- Look for guides that cover information about etiquette, gender roles, festivals, and religion.

6

Visit local museums and cultural centers

Museums will often have exhibitions about other cultures. Ask museums in your area about current or upcoming exhibitions. Also, check with cultural centers in your area for opportunities to learn about cultures outside of your own.^{[6]
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- You might also be able to look at online exhibits from museums around the globe.

7

Enroll in a college class

Learn more about a culture from a certified professor. You can take a language course, or a course specifically about a certain culture. Sign up to take a class at your local community college.^{[7]
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- Make sure you have time to commit to a class that may require homework and tests.
- Look up information or ask local institutions about course requirements and cost.

8

Search for cultural experiences in your community

There are probably more opportunities than you realize. Look for ethnic restaurants, places of worship, and ask about upcoming festivals or holidays. Ask first before entering a place of worship or inviting yourself to a celebration, and always be respectful when attending events.^{[8]
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- Express that you are genuinely interested in their culture, and do not want to disrespect it in any way.
- If you're in school, take leadership of making sure your school is celebrating many different cultures. For example, you might ask your English teacher to include a more diverse selection of reading material. Also, if your school doesn't already have an International Day, you might talk to your teacher, counselor, or principal about sponsoring one.^{[9]
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  Expert Source
  
  Alicia Oglesby
  Professional School Counselor
  Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.}

9

Talk to people from other cultures

You probably have some right in your own community! Reach out to people in your community from work, school, or other local organizations. Talk to them about how your culture differs from their own, and ask what the biggest differences have been for them. You can share your own experiences to open up the conversation.^{[10]
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- Make sure the person is comfortable talking about their culture with you. It’s fine to ask questions and be interested, but you shouldn’t force anyone to talk about things they don’t want to.
- When you approach someone from another culture, you can ask questions like, “So how different is this country from the one you grew up in?” Or, “Which do you like better: the food here, or the food from your home country?”

10

Travel whenever possible

It’s the best way to expose yourself to new cultures. Reach out to your school or church to see if they have an exchange program you can participate in. Look for volunteer opportunities abroad to head overseas on a budget. Or, simply save up your money and go traveling to another country to experience a new culture.^{[11]
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- If you’re traveling abroad for the first time, it might be helpful to have someone with you. Take a friend or family member along so you can keep each other safe while traveling.

11

Avoid cultural appropriation

Don’t use symbols from other cultures without asking first. Cultural appropriation is taking something from another culture and using it or portraying it without understanding the significance of it. Talk to members of your community from other cultures, or search online to ask about appropriate behavior and dress. It is important to be respectful, but do not appropriate another person’s culture. Avoid cultural appropriation by asking questions, such as:
- What behaviors and styles make you uncomfortable when people from other cultures exhibit them?
- Why is this food or artifact important to your culture?
- Is it okay to join in on this festival or celebration?
- How do I appropriately show respect to your culture?

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I learn more about other cultures in school?

Alicia Oglesby
Professional School Counselor
Alicia Oglesby is a Professional School Counselor and the Director of School and College Counseling at Bishop McNamara High School outside of Washington DC. With over ten years of experience in counseling, Alicia specializes in academic advising, social-emotional skills, and career counseling. Alicia holds a BS in Psychology from Howard University and a Master’s in Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. She also studied Race and Mental Health at Virginia Tech. Alicia holds Professional School Counseling Certifications in both Washington DC and Pennsylvania. She has created a college counseling program in its entirety and developed five programs focused on application workshops, parent information workshops, essay writing collaborative, peer-reviewed application activities, and financial aid literacy events.

Alicia Oglesby

Professional School Counselor

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

A lot of change is student-led and student-initiated, so don't be afraid to speak up. Ask your teachers and your school counselors how other cultures can be included in what you're learning. For instance, you might ask your science teacher to talk about contributions that originated in other parts of the world, or you might ask your English teacher to include a more diverse selection of authors in the curriculum.