CultureBump: Learn to Connect

Functionality & Mechanism

The CultureBump: Learn to Connect app facilitates intercultural understanding by presenting common situations across over 25 countries, including Brazil, China, and Japan. Users can compare how different cultures handle scenarios like being late or unprepared, fostering a "Conversation for Connection." The app, based on the Culture Bump Approach, provides in-app links for utilizing its content as an icebreaker, for community building in diverse classrooms, or to initiate cultural discussions.

Evidence & Research Context

• The Culture Bump Approach, on which the app is based, has been evaluated in peer-reviewed research across projects.
• Analysis of participant self-assessments using Bennett's Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity indicated a higher level of positive response than the model typically predicts.
• Researchers attribute these positive responses to the Culture Bump Approach's emphasis on human commonalities and its micro-cultural rather than macro-cultural focus.
• The approach is highlighted for its salience in promoting integration and connectivity within higher education settings and its utility in teaching psychology at the college and university level.
• The evolution of the Culture Bump Approach from a face-to-face course to a multi-media toolkit and then to an online course at Auburn University has been documented, detailing adaptations for digital platforms.

Intended Use & Scope

CultureBump: Learn to Connect is intended for individuals seeking to enhance their intercultural communication skills and foster connections with people from diverse backgrounds. It serves as a tool for initiating conversations, building community, and promoting cultural awareness. The app does not provide clinical diagnoses or therapeutic interventions, and users facing significant cultural adjustment challenges should seek guidance from qualified professionals.