Toolkit - Culture Visualisation

Visualisation of personal and
surrounding cultures

Εκπαιδευτικό Πρόγραμμα

30-40 minutes

A large sheet of paper (minimum A3 size), or two or more sheets of A4 paper attached together, or a whiteboard or flip chart.
Pens and markers in different colours.
Sticky notes in different colours.

What is this tool and what is its purpose and benefit?

Cultural visualisation observes one’s own culture, its habits, attitudes, and values, as well as those of the surrounding culture. This observation can focus on one’s own culture, or it can be used to observe oneself in relation to another culture, such as a different geographical setting, a region or town, or a different occupational or professional context.

Visualisation helps to compare and identify similarities and differences between personal culture and the surrounding culture, and plan activities accordingly. It helps to understand oneself better and where own personal culture comes from. It also helps to recognise the cultural differences between the person and the surrounding culture. Such a comparison, achieved through cultural visualisation, is useful for planning one's suitability for a particular work culture, field or geographic region, and for preparing for these environments, as well as for identifying one's own cultural traits that could be useful strengths in a working context.

Steps for using this tool

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6

STEP 7

STEP 8

STEP 9

Draw three nested circles on paper. Make these large enough to fit in sticky notes, even on the smallest circle.

Start by writing your core values and beliefs in the smallest, innermost circle. You can write these directly on the paper or attach sticky notes to it.

Move on to the second-largest circle. Add your attitudes here in a similar way. Use a different colour of marker or sticky note.

Finally, add the values of your surrounding culture to the largest circle. Use a marker or sticky notes in a third colour.

Look at your circles. What similarities can you see between your core values and beliefs and those of the surrounding culture? Mark these, for example by circling them or adding symbols. If you are using sticky notes, move them closer together. Which of your attitudes are linked to these values and beliefs?

What are the differences? Do the same for each difference.

Look at the results and think what you have learnt about yourself and your values, both in general and in relation to your chosen surrounding culture. What opportunities and potential challenges have you identified?

What strengths arise from your culture, attitudes and beliefs? How might these be useful in a work context?

Think about how these cultural values, personal and those of the environment, influence your career trajectory.

Make a list of your main findings.