Impact of Culture and Motivation on Professional Learning Journey

This essay examines the significant influence of culture and motivation on professional learning, particularly for an international student in Australia. The author, an Indian student, discusses the challenges of adapting to a new culture and the importance of motivation in achieving professional goals. The essay explores the concept of culture, including cultural determinism and its impact on learning, and the role of motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, in overcoming cultural barriers. Theoretical frameworks, such as Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and the Social Cognitive Theory of Motivation, are analyzed to understand how they can be applied to professional learning in a diverse cultural context. The author reflects on personal experiences and identifies strategies for developing self-regulated motivation to enhance professional skills and navigate cultural differences effectively.

Running head: PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Professional Learning based on Culture and Motivation
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Concept of Culture...........................................................................................................................3
Theory of Cultural Determinism in context of Professional Learning............................................4
Concept of Motivation in Professional Learning.............................................................................5
Theoretical Analysis of Motivating Factors....................................................................................6
Social Cognitive Theory of Motivation and Impact on Real Life...................................................8
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................9
References......................................................................................................................................11

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Introduction
The significant influence of the culture and motivation in terms of developing
professional learning traits overseas is much recognizable. Especially, culture plays the most
important part to develop experiences of living in foreign countries (Merriam & Bierema, 2014).
I am an Indian student pursuing my professional learning career. I set my focus on enhancing
and deepening the knowledge in the professional learning field. Culture is perceived as the value
of an individual, which is highly influenced in a foreign scenario (Brookfield, 2010). In some of
the cases, the individual may face the recognizable difficulties in adopting a new culture in a
foreign country. If I consider personal example, I can even state that I am also facing the
difficulties in learning new culture in Australia. However, I believe that learning new culture can
provide me more opportunistic values to build the professional learning career. As a learner, I
should always focus on developing the innovative knowledge and practices to accomplish both
my professional and personal goals. Therefore, it is necessary for me to understand the factors
that can motivate me in a considerable way. In this literature study, I shall provide the conceptual
and theoretical underpinning related to the culture and motivation, which are the major
components for my professional learning career in Australia.
The purpose of this literature is to develop the enriched knowledge regarding the role of
culture and motivation in developing the professional learning efficiency. I should clearly focus
on the particular approach that would motivate me towards learning the professional context in a
scenario, which is culturally different. In fact, while pursuing the professional learning course in
a foreign scenario, I need to understand the influencing factors that create the significant impact

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on the motivational aspects. It is quite necessary to identify such factors that can enhance my
knowledge in the professional learning areas.
Concept of Culture
Culture is often conceptualized as the cumulative deposit of experiences, knowledge,
values, beliefs, attitudes, shared values, and religion. According to Brookfield (2010), culture is
the medium of sharing knowledge by developing the suitable communication procedure. In a
professional learning scenario, the cultural value of an individual creates the significance
influences on shared values. The migration experiences of an individual are highly influenced by
the foreign culture. Especially, when an Indian learner migrates to Australia, the individual may
face the considerable difficulties in dealing with the Australian culture. The differences in
languages, accents, and cultural values are quite impactful for the professional learner in a
foreign country. On the contrary, O’brien (2015) argued that the diverse cultural background
helps in developing the innovative learning procedures that strengthens the professional skills of
an individual. The current challenging business scenario demands excellence and high advanced
techniques. The diverse cultural background provides such scenario to explore innovative ideas
and create the excellence in the professional learning field.
However, I am an Indian student and I came in Australia to pursue my professional
learning career. It is true that I have been learning the diverse techniques and methods of
strengthening the professional attributes in this challenging scenario. Simultaneously, I have
been facing the enormous challenge to deal with the Australian culture. It has been observed that
some sections of the Australian society have the discriminatory attitudes and racial biasness. This
discrimination creates the considerable challenges while learning in the country. In the further

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section of the study would discuss the theoretical underpinning related to the cultural aspects in
the professional learning field.
Theory of Cultural Determinism in context of Professional Learning
According to Ginsberg and Raymond (2009), the human nature is determined by the
meanings, ideas, beliefs, and shared values of the people. Developing the learning atmosphere in
a diverse cultural scenario develops the different perceptiveness and environment. In terms of
adult learning, theorizing is one of the most significant approaches that the educators undertake
in a professional learning scenario. Based on the assumptions and adaptive nature, the cultural
theory is distinguished into diverse segments. Cultural Relativism suggests the motif of the
cultural group in terms of thinking, feeling, and acting in a diverse way. According to (), no
scientific standard has identified any group as the superior or inferior to others. Supporting such
statement, Bandura (2014) implied that studying in a culturally diverse group or society
presumes the position of the image of cultural relativism.
Another theory of culture is Ethnocentrism, which is the belief that the culture of an
individual is superior to other cultures. According to Young et al., (2014), this perception is one
kind of reductionism that decreases the distorted version of one's possessions. In case of
professional learning in foreign country like Australia, where the discriminating attitudes are
quite recognizable, this type of trait is visible. In many of the cases it has been observed that
some of the Australians are quite dominating towards others since they perceive their cultures as
superior then the others. Having and eastern cultural background, I have also faced such
concerns from several teammates. On the contrary, many other professional learners showed
their fondness of learning innovative technique in professional field by dealing with the people

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from different cultural background (Ng & Lucianetti, 2016). The ideas gathered from this
theoretical explanation and conceptual development determined that the cultural aspects have the
clear impact on the mind of a professional learner in a foreign country in a positive as well as in
a negative way. Both the positive and negative impacts reflect on the outcome of the learning
process (Tran & Pasura, 2017). Being an Indian, I also faced search mixed scenario, and the
negative ones traumatized me in a significant way. It is therefore quite necessary for me to
identify the factors that can motivate me to stay in Australia and complete my Learning Course
in the professional field. Understanding the effective motivational aspects would help me to
develop my professional learning skills and utilize the diverse cultural traits that can enhance my
knowledge.
Concept of Motivation in Professional Learning
Motivation plays the significant part, especially when an individual deals with the
different cultural background for their personal or professional situations. motivation is the
energy and driver of mental States that I put together for accomplishing any determined
objective. McFarland and Wehbe-Alamah (2017) implied that motivation sometimes can be
purposeful and conceptualized as the basic of survival. In the professional learning field,
motivation can either be intrinsic or extrinsic. Extrinsic motivation develops the understanding
regarding a person's approval or attaining any credential. While pursuing the professional
Learning Course in a culturally different country, we sometimes need enough motivation to deal
with the diverse situations (Luke, 2018). Especially, in a country like Australia, where the
cultural differences are quite observable, the migrants need high level of motivation. If I shed
light on my personal experience, I can imply that these cultural differences are quite challenging
for me to survive in the country and dealing with such situations.

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Theoretical Analysis of Motivating Factors
An effective motivation helps an individual to deal with the diverse cultural scenario
while pursuing the professional Learning Course in a foreign country. In my case, some of the
motivational factors will help me to learn in a new cultural background and contextual situation
(Edwards, Fenwick & Sawchuk, 2015). While pursuing the professional Learning Course in
Australia, I have faced many challenges as I am completely from a different cultural zone.
Identification of the specific motivational theory would drive me towards accomplishing my
professional goals. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is one such motivational theory that explodes
the individual needs and preferences that creates impact on their psychological aspects.

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Figure 1: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
(Source: Lee & Hanna, 2015)
This need-driven motivational theory examines that humans are highly influenced by
external factors and intrinsic human needs that shape of the human behaviour. This theoretical
framework consists of 5 level pyramid layers that start from higher needs and coming down to
the lower after recognizing that the more basic needs are achieved (Datta, 2014). The bottom
four levels in the Maslow's hierarchy of needs are called “deficiency needs” (Lee & Hanna,

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2015). These needs imply that a person can become anxious if they feel that they are unable to
achieve anything. Another layer of the pyramid defines the physiological needs such as drinking
eating sleeping as the deficiency needs. It even includes the social needs safety needs and other
sexual intimacy. The level of the pyramid suggested group’s need, which defines that a person
needs to enable the self actualization to reach to the fullest potential of becoming a human being
(Case, 2015). A person can be highly motivated once the self actualization and the deficiency
needs are met. While pursuing the professional learning course in Australia, I have felt such
layers of needs while dealing with the diverse cultural contexts. The challenges faced during this
time are quite relatable to my current situation of surviving in a diverse culture scenario.
Social Cognitive Theory of Motivation and Impact on Real Life
Social cognitive theory of motivation is another theoretical development, which provides
insights regarding the significance of goal orientation in determining the achievement behaviour
of a learner. According to Macfarlane (2015), social cognitive theory is conceptualized as the
cognitive representation of achievement purpose as well as the motivating factors that creates
direct impact on professional learners. The activities formulated orienting the suggested goals is
merely strengthening the skills knowledge and competency level. The self regulated learners are
capable of using appropriate meta-cognitive as well as cognitive strategies to deal with the
emerging challenges while performing these activities (Venter, 2017). They even monitor and
manage the effort they put for achieving their purpose.
Considering such behaviour, I feel that I should put more effort to deal with all these
challenges I have been facing in a culturally diverse situation. If I am determined to achieve my
professional and personal goals and strengthening my learning skills, I should I drop some

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flexible approach to deal with the diverse situations. If I can identify my purpose of coming here,
I shall be able to generate that strengthen me to deal with the diverse situations. I have already
mentioned that I want to strengthen my professional learning skills due to which I have come
here and improving my learning capabilities. Considering such concerns, I need to develop the
self regulated motivation which would help me in going forward despite the cultural differences
and situational challenges. Therefore, I am prepared to show my capability and to work harder to
develop resilience during the challenging scenario. I should develop self regulated standards for
achieving my learning objectives. The studies have indicated that the goal oriented activities are
developed to achieve the performance scale in the academic field. Hence, it is essential for me to
recognize the challenging scenario and cope with the situation accordingly.
Conclusion
The study clarifies the impact of culture and motivation in a professional learning
scenario. As an Indian learner, I have faced some considerable challenges to deal with the
Australian culture after migrating here for my professional Learning Course. The Indian culture
is completely different to the Australian culture due to which it was quite difficult for me to deal
with the differences and perceptions of the people from a different cultural background.
However, the arguments made on this basis determined that the diverse cultural scenario
generates idea of the innovativeness that eventually strengthens the competency scale in a global
professional field. The conceptual and theoretical ideas derived from this study highlights that
understanding the effective motivational factors are quite helpful in shaping up my perceptions
towards a culturally diverse background. I have identified that motivation helps in growing my
knowledge in the professional learning field surrounded by the new context and culture. In
addition to this, I have learnt that the goal oriented activities would help me to identify my

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purpose of pursuing the professional Learning Course in this country and would motivate me to
drive along to accomplish these goals.

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References
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Case, J. M. (2015). Emergent interactions: rethinking the relationship between teaching and
learning. Teaching in Higher Education, 20(6), 625-635.
Datta, Y. (2014). Maslow’s hierarchy of basic needs: An ecological view. Oxford Journal: An
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Edwards, R., Fenwick, T., & Sawchuk, P. (2015). Emerging approaches to educational
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Lee, J. M., & Hanna, S. D. (2015). Savings goals and saving behavior from a perspective of
Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 26(2), 129-
147.
Luke, A. (2018). Literacy and the other: A sociological approach to literacy research and policy
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Routledge.

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Macfarlane, B. (2015). Student performativity in higher education: converting learning as a
private space into a public performance. Higher Education Research &
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McFarland, M. R., & Wehbe-Alamah, H. B. (2017). Theory of Culture Care Diversity and
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Tran, L. T., & Pasura, R. (2017). Professional Development for Teachers Working with
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