One good thing about hostel life is the exposure to peers from all kinds of backgrounds. You’d find people not only from different states but also from different countries sharing the same living space as you. They say everyone you meet holds a piece of the puzzle. A hostel environment is by no means an exception. If anything, it’s the perfect example of a place facilitating value addition through exposure to folks from different cultures. Let’s explore some benefits of such kinds of cultural exchange in hostels.

Metaphorically, the phenomena of culture exchange in hostels can be seen as a giant potluck party where everyone brings something from their homes to the table. Each person’s perspective is defined by their history, and exposure to other perspectives, each with their personal individual history, can only help broaden horizons. One must throw all traces of racism and similar generalized prejudices out the window if one wants to gain from such exposure. The following are some ways culture exchange in hostels can be beneficial:

Enhances psychological understanding
The more people you meet and spend time with, the more you understand humankind in general, and as a result, more develop your people skills, which is crucial to thriving in society and career paths. The world has people from all kinds of backgrounds, and in a way, the hostel environment can be a microcosm of society that prepares you for the world.

Enhances communication skills
Understanding people is incomplete without actually engaging them through communication. Different cultures bring about more challenges in terms of effective communication, and once the barrier is passed and you can actually engage in coherent conversation with them, in a way, your ability to communicate with the entire community they represent is enhanced.

Learning empathy
When people from different cultures are introduced to your circle, you learn how to see the world through their eyes, promoting empathy, and as a result respect. These are essential people skills that are required for holistic development.

Knowledge building
Different cultures have different traditions, practices, festivals, mannerisms, and so on. All of this anthropological knowledge is useful to have in your arsenal, especially when it comes from first-hand experience, and through this exposure, your own personal worldview is broadened as you get to know the people around you.

Enjoyable experiences
Culture nights, festivals, and even friendships that entail exploring cultural exchanges can be both fun and rewarding. Being a part of unexplored traditions, cuisines, and even practices can serve as a fresh break from the mundane, and otherwise, ordinary life could become extraordinary with colorful inclusions of these new experiences. Welcome them into your habitude.

At S’ Residences, we don’t discriminate. Students from all cultural backgrounds are not only welcome but they’re encouraged to embrace their flavours of traditions. Our primary goal is for you to evolve into the best versions of yourselves ready to take on the world, and part of being that person involves understanding others despite their inter-cultural differences. You don’t have to abandon your past to feel included. Instead, celebrate it with others as they celebrate theirs with you. It’s a potluck after all.