Contextual cultural dimension is differentiated in our Maximizing Study Abroad book as low-context and high-context communication across cultures. Both styles of communication are significant in differentiating with familiar and unfamiliar cultures and examine further impact that it has on communication.
Low- context communication is when we rely minamaly on cues from a context. An example of this can be if you grew up in the U.S it is quite possible that we have been using low-context communication all of our life. This is significant to our studying abroad trips because this communication tends to more verbal and explicit. In the U.S people do come from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds and the tendency is to rely heavily on verbal explicit communication. In order words, we tell people what we think they need to know in order to understand us and then we will fill in the blanks. The goal is to clarify communication and the importance of verbal communication.
High-context communication is when people pay a lot of attention to the situation they are in, the environment, and the people with whom they are communicating with. This also means that there is a high reliance on cues from the context in which someone is in. However, things don’t have to be spelled out as much as they are in low-context cultures because it relies heavily on nonverbal cues. This also means that you don’t have to worry so much about explaining everything since people will have a good understanding just from context itself. An example of this may be when you are talking with a close friend who knows you well in a situation and you don’t have to worry about saying much because they are able to understand your ideas and have background on you. Contrary to low-context communication, nonverbal cues are much more significant for conveying a meaning in high-context cultures. This may pose as a problem when going to a low-context culture because you may assume that others, much like your friends back home, will not be able to relate to you with no background knowledge on you.
In regards to my study abroad experience, I will be able to use my understanding of the low and high context communication styles and keep them in mind when encountering natives of Costa Rica. This is significant because I will be able to communicate across cultures other than just the United States. There will most likely be times where the high-context meets low-context and I will struggle to know what is going on and must use this knowledge to power through tough situations. However, I believe that my background knowledge while living in Costa Rica as a youngin will provide an advantage in the sense of communication styles. I also think that if I ever were to get stuck in a situation that I don’t understand I would be able to use my knowledge of context clues will allow for a last resort in a situation where I am stuck.
Toes in the Water, Tica in the Sand 