Intercultural Interaction Conversation
Benjamin Fouse
Department of Communications
COMS 624 Intercultural Communications
Dr. Roman-Gloro
November 28, 2021
Abstract
This paper details the cultural interaction interview between Franklin and myself. While
Franklin was born and raised until the age of thirteen in Kenya, I have lived in Northern Virgnia
all of my life. Thus, we the differences in cultural upbringing have led to differences cultural
outlook. Despite this, the too countries offer almost as much in common as they do in
differences. Overall, the conversation gave insight as to how cultures play a massive part in the
development of the individual, and that by understanding cultures we might be better able to
communicate with those around us.
Introduction
It has often been said that the sum of human wisdom could not be contained in any one
language. However, it is with a focus on crossing cultural boundaries that we are able to learn
about continents without visiting, explore stories we’ve never heard, and experience wildly
different encounters. Through story telling and sharing communication across cultural
boundaries we have been able to shift perspectives and develop more complete personal outlooks
on the world. Throughout my own experience in communicating with those that I come in
contact with, even in the mundane day to day travels by communicating effectively with those
from differing cultural perspectives.
Background
For my intercultural interview I had a conversation with my friend Franklin. Born and
raised in Kenya, Franklin moved to the United States when he was thirteen. Born in the late 90’s
Franklin grew up in a village outside of Nairobi with his younger brother. At thirteen he and his
brother were uprooted and moved with their parents to the United States landing finally in
Northern Virginia, from then on, he and his family began the process of assimilation in their new
home. Now twenty-four years old, Franklin is fluent in three languages and has a wealth of
knowledge from both his time in Africa and in the States. After completing his college education
in Business at the University of Toledo in Ohio, Franklin has since come back to Northern
Virginia to buy and flip houses for a living.
Similarities
Despite what is most people’s gut reactions when comparing the American and Kenyan
cultures there are without a doubt many similarities between the two. Certainly, in my own frame
of reference it seemed that the two would be wildly incompatible with each other. One culture is
based on thousands of years of tradition within tribal groups and interaction with the land. The
other, only a couple hundred years with many of them being spent developing technologies that
had been transferred from other developed countries. While America has enjoyed huge
technological advance supplemented by a melting pot of ideas and cultures that has helped create
a culture to support individual freedom. However, this is where we might find areas of
similarities. As Franklin mentioned in our interview, the jump from religious fervor in Kenya to
the United States did not cover that much of a gap. In his opinion, both countries hold strong ties
to religious underpinnings. Kenya predominately believes in Christian ideals with over 85% of
the country claiming to belong to the Christian faith. Meanwhile, in the U.S 78% of the citizenry
espouse Christian ideals (Newport, 2021. Para. 7).
Beyond religion, Kenya and the United States are surprisingly welcoming of intercultural
interaction. With a continuing increase in immigration between the two countries Kenya has
welcomed over one million people into their country in 2015 and increasingly so every year.
(World Data, 2020). This, in Franklin’s experience back in Nairobi gave him the ability to
interact with a largely different culture of people then even those he had grown up with.
Similarly, in my own experience living in the suburbs of D.C a large portion of my interactions
growing up was with those who moved to the nation’s capital from all around the U.S (U.S
Department of State, 2021).
Differences
Despite all this being said, there are obvious differences between the two nations. Kenya,
as previously mentioned has a history dating back to the early 2000 BC years. A nation built on
the traditions of tribes, Kenya has a long history that has largely influenced the people, culture,
and even government function. Meanwhile, in the U.S, the government and cultural structures
have been created out of the melting pot of immigrants that helped initially build the nation.
These differences are exacerbated by the initial boost of technological development in the
U.S. while Kenya has relied on traditional methods throughout the nation for a large portion of
the previous generations. Add to this the vast diversity of environmental landscapes that might be
found in the U.S with the largely homogenized surroundings within Kenya, America was able to
capitalize on the vast resources within our own boundaries.
Conclusion
Overall, I learned that it is through understanding the cultures that those around us were
raised in, that we are able to more effectively able to communicate, relate, and understand one
another. Kenya, much like the United States, especially in the northern Virginia area, is becoming
a hot spot for immigration and travel. Despite differences in locality, social and technical
advancement, and diversity in cultural integration, speaking more in depth with Franklin about
his upbringing and how he has culturally had to adapt has been an eye-opening experience.
References
Newport, F. (2021, April 3). Christianity remains dominant religion in the United States.
Gallup.com. Retrieved November 28, 2021, from
https://news.gallup.com/poll/151760/christianity-remains-dominant-religion-united-
states.aspx#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20remains%20a,religious%20identity
%20identifying%20as%20Christians.
United States Department of State. (2021, May 12). Kenya - United States Department of State.
2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Kenya. Retrieved November 28, 2021,
from https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-report-on-international-religious-freedom/kenya/.
World Data. (2020, January 15). Country comparison kenya : United States. Worlddata.info.
Retrieved November 28, 2021, from https://www.worlddata.info/country-comparison.php?
country1=KEN&country2=USA.
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