Intercultural Autobiography: Comparing Romanian and British Lifestyles

This assignment presents a comparative analysis of two intercultural autobiographies, one from a Romanian individual and the other from a British colleague. The assignment begins by contrasting the two biographies, highlighting similarities and differences in their backgrounds, values, and lifestyles. It then delves into the application of cultural frameworks, specifically Edward T. Hall's model (high/low context, space, and time) and Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck's cultural dimensions (nature of people, relationship with nature, duty towards others, mode of activity, privacy of space, and temporal orientation), to evaluate and understand the observed cultural variances. The Romanian autobiography emphasizes time management, respect, and a polychromic approach to time, while the British autobiography highlights individualism, action orientation, and a monochromic approach. The assignment concludes by synthesizing these frameworks to offer a comprehensive understanding of the intercultural dynamics between the two individuals and their respective cultural backgrounds.

Intercultural Autobiography

Table of Contents
Compare and contrast the two biographies and identify both similarities and differences.............1
Use your cultural frameworks to evaluate those similarities and differences.................................2
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5
APPENDIX......................................................................................................................................6

Compare and contrast the two biographies and identify both similarities and
differences
Self autobiography (Romania)
My name in Florin and I am from Romania. My age in 25 and I m currently working in
British multinational company in Human resource department. My family lives in Romania, my
father is working in Romania company and my mother is home maker. I bother is studying in
school of Romania. I was born and grown up in Romania and I have analysed that the culture of
Romania has huge impact on my personality and growth. Through this culture I have understand
the importance of managing time and my parents has taught me different skills to effectively
manage time. In this culture people care about each other and always show huge respect to each
other. This is one of the main reason that I am always kind and respectful to others. My am
following my passion and learning my skills and capabilities in order to improve my
performance. I have strong communication skills that help me in conveying message in more
effective and efficient manner. I love to travel and explore new placed and area. My family is
quite strict and because of this I did not get much changes to travel different placed.
Colleague autobiography (British)
My co worker Jack belongs to British and he is 23 year old very intelligence person. He has
completed his graduation from one of the top university of British in the field of marketing. Jack
is very good friend and always focus on his skills and career growth. I he very sharp minded and
have capabilities to take correct decision quickly. He is born and brought up in British and his
parents are busy with their working and personal life. Jack has just completed his education and
due to his intelligence and knowledge he is placed at good position in well know multination
company. Jack and his family is mostly busy and due to this they spend less time together. Jack
has travelled to lots placed and this is also helpful in developing new skills and capabilities. The
culture of British has played significant role in increasing potential and behaviour of Jack. In
British area people live a very busy life as well as very competitive towards their potentials. Due
to this reason Jack is always focused in personal and professional development. Jack family is
always supported Jack and trust the decision taken by him. This helped him in developing and
enhancing decision making skills which will impact his professional activities and work life.
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Use your cultural frameworks to evaluate those similarities and differences
There are different cultural framework that are significant in gaining better information and
understanding about the different culture of different countries. Analysis of frameworks will help
in determine different aspects of cultures and background. There are different similarities and
differences between different cultures which can be understand by frameworks. In order to
analyses and evaluate the major differences or similarities between the culture of Romania and
British Edwards Hall as well as Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck cultural dimension model is mention
below –
Edward T. Hall model
He is a well respected anthropologist who applied his understanding of culture and
intercultural communication. He has develop an effective model which will assist in determining
cultural and its various aspects (Méndez García, 2017). This model in based on three major
principals which is significant in analyzing and how communication or interaction between the
different culture of different countries differ. This model includes context, space and time.
High and low context
In the culture of high context more importance is given to the context of the message and people
with high context culture tends to be more indirect while communicating. They expect that other
person will be able to decode the implicit part of message. Where as in the case of low context
culture, people are explicit and prefer direct communication approach. In both, Romania and
British country people prefer low context while communicating.
Space
This can be describe as the physical space and people around any individual. Edward T. Hall
has considered this the study of proxemics. This help in describing the how comfortable people
of particular culture form standing close to other. In many culture standing close of coming in
other territory make other uncomfortable. In British culture, people like to have some distance
between each other and they do not feel comfortable while standing close to other. Where as in
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the culture of Romania, People prefer to have distance from stranger but comfortable if close one
or friends are close.
Time
Time is very important for everyone and attitude or behavior of people towards time is vary
from culture to culture. Time is classified into two part that is polychromic culture and
monochromic culture (Mete, 2018). Romania culture is polychromic and in this people are used
to pursuing multiple actions and goals at same time. Romania people are very good at
performing many task on same time and they are consider as multitask. Whereas British people
prefer as prefer doing one task at one time. They are form monochromic culture and have
schedule for each and every task.
Kluckholn and Strodtbeck dimension of culture
As per this framework there are six major dimension of culture which is significant in
determining the culture and attitude of people from different culture. Kluckholn and Strodtbeck
had developed this model in year 1961. Six dimension of culture are mention below in detail –
The nature of people – This includes the belief of people about the social structure. The
natural of people is significant in describing the behavior and attitude of person towards others.
In British culture, people mostly belief on individualistic social structure. As per this type of
social structure all individual are free and have right to take their own decision. Where as in the
culture of Romania people consider lineal social structure. This type of social structure is based
on group with clear and rigid hierarchical relationships.
The relationship with nature – This consist the belief regarding the need and
responsibility to control nature (Ruest, 2020). The Romania culture is major based on
subjugation where as British is harmony culture. As per the subjection belief of Romania people
believe that individual needs to submit to nature. British culture majorly belief that all people
should work with nature in order to maintain harmony as well as balance.
Duty towards others – This dimension includes the belief regarding the duty of
individual towards the other people. In Romania culture there is high duty of family or friends
towards other individual. This culture limits the freedom and affect personal decisions. In the
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case of British people consider less duty towards other. This type of culture is significant in
providing more space to other and take own decisions.
Mode of activity – This dimension of culture is significant in determining which is the
primary mode of activity in particular culture that is organization or society (Cuccurullo, 2019).
British culture is action oriented and status comes from the work or accomplishment of goals.
Where as in Romania culture more focus in on being rather than what a person do.
Privacy of space – This is one of the major cultural aspect which is significant in
deterring culture. The privacy of space includes the space that is owned by individual. In
Romania people lives with their families together and there is high involvement of family
member in personal life as compare to British. Romania has lower privacy space and British
culture has more space.
Temporal orientation – This dimension is significant in determining what is more
important part, present or future. British culture is forward looking and for British people future
is more important. Romania people prefer to live in present and for them present time in more
important.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Méndez García, M.D.C., 2017. Intercultural reflection through the Autobiography of
Intercultural Encounters: students’ accounts of their images of alterity. Language and
Intercultural Communication, 17(2), pp.90-117.
Mete, D.E., 2018. Using the Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters as a framework to write
narratives of intercultural experiences. Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi,
(39), pp.201-215.
Ruest, C., 2020. The Autobiography of intercultural encounters: mixed results amongst Canadian
adolescents. Language and Intercultural Communication, 20(1), pp.7-21.
Cuccurullo, D., 2019. Autobiographical narrative and intercultural awareness. Journal of e-
Learning and Knowledge Society, 15(1).
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APPENDIX
Self questionnaire
What is your name, age and educational background?
My name is Florin and I was born on 22 September 1995 in Romania. I was born and
brought up in Bucharest which is one of the beautiful city of Romania. I am 25 year old and I
have completed my education in the field of management. My education is from Romania and
current I am working in British multination company. After completion of master from Romania,
I currently live in United Kingdom for career growth.
In which country did you grow up and how would you describe your culture?
I am grown in Romania country and this is very amazing place to live. Romania country
is located in south eastern Europe which is at the north end of Balkan peninsula as well as
bordering Ukraine and Moldova to the north, Hungary is located to northwest, Serbia and
Bulgaria is in south. Romanian culture is very different from other Eastern European regions. In
this place more important is given to traditions and customers. Romania people are following
traditions and culture form years and they enjoy it.
Who all is in your family and where did they live?
In my family, apart from my mother and father I have younger brother. I father is
working in company of Romania and my mother is home maker and my brother is in school. My
family lives in Romania.
What is your major leaning from your culture?
From the culture of Romania I have learned various things and learner form this culture is
very helpful for my personal and professional growth. Through the culture of Romania I have
learned self discipline and kindness towards others. in this culture our elders always teach us to
complete given task before deadline and respect other.
What is the major impact on culture on your behaviour or other aspect of life?
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The culture of Romania is very impact part of my life and this culture lead to have major
impact on my learning as well as behaviour. I have positive attitude and always ready to learn
new things. This is beautiful country but economic growth is low and there is less job
opportunities. Because of this I have to move to British for better working opportunities.
Colleague questionnaire
What is your name, age and educational background?
I am 23 year old boy, Jack who lives in British. I have just completed my education
form well known University of British. I have got new job in British multinational company and
I am very passionate about my career. I have completed masters in Marketing field and want to
enhance by future career.
In which country did you grow up and how would you describe your culture?
I am grown up in world one of the most leading countries, British. This country have
amazing history and top leading companies of the world. British culture is very fast moving and
competitive. It is more westernised culture and mostly people are very busy in their life. This
culture is significant for providing freedom and individuals can take their own decisions.
Who all is in your family and where did they live?
My family is made up of my mother, father and younger sister. Both my father and
mother are working in well established British company and my sister is pursuing fashion
designing course. My family lives in British.
What is your major leaning from your culture?
My major learning form my culture is to always focus on growth and development. I was
grown up in very competitive environment which increase my urge to learn new things. I have
learned that it is very important for person to self care and enhance capabilities to take correct
decision for personal growth and development.
What is the major impact on culture on your behaviour or other aspect of life?
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British culture have huge impact on my capacities and personality. Due to this culture, I
am always focused on my personal and professional growth in order to attain desired objective. I
always engaged in new activities for enhancing my skills and potential for getting competitive
advantage over others.
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