The Cultural Qualities YOU must Acquire to Succeed in Higher Education

The Cultural Qualities YOU must Acquire to Succeed in Higher Education

This is the manuscript for higher education stakeholders. It consists of information that can support people, especially students and advisors in relation to cultural issues. There is some evidence that students in higher education withdraw from their studies due to, among others, isolation, and failure to acquire the contextual culture. The manuscript informs the scholarly findings about attrition and the proposed solutions. The manuscript insists the importance of understanding the culture required of students as a support for integration. The manuscript demonstrates the functionalities of culture to individuals and the differences between strong and weak culture.

I emphasize that students must be supported by the host institution and the society to be integrated in the learning community. I provide the cultural model that can be observed by institutions, learning agencies, and the students who desire to learn the culture required. The main aspects of culture discussed in the model are related to relationship, academic issues, and the societal values. These three categories of culture have information concerning greeting culture, dress code, the culture required in group discussions, presentations, and communication in general. I also discuss some practices that may accelerate students' integration such as academic and non-academic parties and ceremonies. Likewise, I remind students to observe peoples' position and special occasions as among the cultural issues important for their integration. The manuscript informs students about expectations that related to the role of teachers, acquisition of knowledge and skills, material wealth together with academic titles.

There are many situations and aspects that may lead to student attrition. However, supporting students to understand and practice the appropriate cultural may eradicate most of the attrition statistics. The main objective of this writing is to support HE stakeholders worldwide. I urge higher education stakeholders to observe the cultural model provided in this manuscript which consists diverse cultural elements and advises students accordingly.


With Regards,
Elizabeth Paradiso