Integration

Back to: Intercultural Sensitivity

The development stage Integration refers to the own cultural identity of a person. At this level, individuals have accomplished to feel associated with two or more cultures. They are able to handle cultural relativity and act appropriately, depending on the cultural context.

Persons at this stage have internalized bicultural or multicultural frames of reference. The own cultural identity is considered as a process and is not primarily based on a particular cultural background.

The final stage of the DMIS includes the ability to facilitate constructive contact between cultures. World view categories are seen as constructs maintained by cultures and individuals.

It has to be said that very few individuals reach this final stage of intercultural sensitivity. Persons who accomplished this stage often act as cultural mediators.
Typical statements at this stage

Whatever the situation, I can usually look at it from a variety of cultural points of view.

In an intercultural world everyone needs to have a transcultural mindset.

I enjoy participating fully in both of my cultures.

I feel most comfortable when I’m bridging differences between the cultures I know.

Developmental Tasks

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Since this stage is the highest in the DMIS approach there are not too many learning objectives. The task is to deal with the achieved multicultural identity and to explore theoretical frameworks of its construction.

Learners can be supported in bridging the cultures and mediating between different cultural groups. They can be encouraged to build up intercultural societies and develop strategies for the construction of cultural identities.

Intercultural skills that can be strengthened are a culturally sensitive sense of humor and flexibility of roles and identities.

Project Partners

Casework is a cooperation between the Innovation in Learning Institute (ILI), the ECC Association for Interdisciplinary Consulting and Education, the INTRGEA Institute for Development of Human Potentials, and Oxfam Italy. More info…