The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has welcomed a delegation from Volda University College in Norway.
As part of their visit, the visiting delegation, which include Professor Øyvind Økland and Ms. Lulia Beleuta, delivered a joint lecture on Intercultural Communication and Culture Shock.
The joint-lecture, organised in partnership with the UPSA Centre for International Education and Collaboration (CIEC), brought together faculty members and students from the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Studies to explore cultural interactions and adaptation in a globalised world.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Økland and Ms. Beleuta highlighted the distinction between visible and invisible culture, emphasising that many cultural differences are not immediately apparent but have a profound impact on human interactions.
They noted that culture shock is a common experience when individuals enter unfamiliar environments and that the adjustment process involves various emotional and psychological phases.
The speakers explained that people initially experience excitement when exposed to a new culture, often referred to as the honeymoon phase.
However, as differences become more apparent, frustration and discomfort may set in, leading to culture shock.
Over time, individuals begin to adapt and recover as they gain a better understanding of the new environment, eventually reaching a stage where they feel fully integrated.
To overcome cultural shocks, the lecturers stressed the importance of verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as understanding different worldviews, social structures, and individual perspectives.
Prof. Økland urged communicators to move beyond ethnocentrism—the belief that one’s own culture is superior—and cultural relativism, which assumes all cultural practices are equally valid.
Instead, he advocated for a multi-perspective approach, where individuals critically assess cultural behaviors while remaining open to diverse viewpoints.
“We must take the effort to reflect on whether other people’s behavior is acceptable or fruitful. If not, we will miss something valuable,” he noted.
The visit by the Volda University College delegation is part of an exchange program aimed at strengthening academic collaboration between UPSA and Volda University College.
