IC 2026 - Intercultural Communication - The lens mismatch: Decoding the unspoken rules of engagement - S2 G1

This video presents four scenes of intercultural communication involving characters from diverse cultural backgrounds. Through both successful and unsuccessful interactions, the project explores how cultural differences can shape communication styles, perceptions, and relationships. In the first conflict, Nam, an Asian student, unconsciously applies his own cultural values when working in an international group project, leading to misunderstandings and tension among the members. Through conversations with a counsellor, he gradually recognizes these cultural gaps and begins to develop a more ethnorelative perspective toward others. The third scene highlights another cultural clash related to low-context and high-context communication styles. Once again, Nam misinterprets the intentions of others and reacts emotionally due to differences in communication norms and cultural expectations. In contrast, the successful scenarios demonstrate how empathy, mutual respect, and cultural awareness can help individuals overcome misunderstandings and maintain harmony in multicultural environments. Ultimately, the video emphasizes that intercultural communication is not about determining who is right or wrong, but about learning to understand perspectives shaped by different cultural “rulebooks."