UNIT 5: Vulnerability and Intercultural Understanding

University of People

EDUC 5810: Living and Learning Globally

Dr. Vicky Nixon

May 15th, 2024

Vulnerability is one way to express our feelings; however, most individuals are afraid of

being exposed. "If you understand how challenging these emotions can be, it is easy to value

and appreciate the worth of vulnerability" (Fritscher, 2023 ). Pride prevents us from admitting

we are vulnerable since prior accomplishments provide us with self-esteem and a sense of

superiority among our peers. We never have the time to examine situations and must deal

with them as stated or taught, making us less vulnerable.

What is vulnerability?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines vulnerability as the ability to be physically or

emotionally hurt. According to Brené Brown in the film, "vulnerable people experience

shame and fear because they do not feel connected to other members of society." (brown,

2012).

What makes it difficult for people to be vulnerable?

1. Not wanting to be judged. People frequently want to communicate their sentiments but are

afraid of being rejected, and they do so to avoid being regarded as weak or incapable of

performing particular tasks. Uncertainty is a major quality of a vulnerable person. “As a

result, numerous people do not want to reveal any type of weakness to others, which gets in

their way and prevents them from being vulnerable.” (Darcy, 2023).

2. Culture and Social Life We live in a society full of expectations about how we should

behave, act, and present ourselves.

Most of the time, our cultures and societal conventions prevent us from being vulnerable,

thus we are perceived as weak or unstable. This is perhaps the most essential trait of
vulnerable people, yet religious activities are associated with specific perceptions that people

take extremely personally.” (Darcy, 2023).

For example, a Muslim is noted for abstaining from alcoholic beverages. As a result, a young

Muslim would be scared to try anything containing alcohol to avoid being labeled a castaway

in his or her religious community.

3. Previous experiences. We occasionally have experiences that hinder us from being

vulnerable and opening up to people as we should, thus some individuals exploit the

information we share with them against us, and others reject us because of our past

experiences; as a result, people are cautious to be vulnerable.

How does being vulnerable help you become more resilient in terms of intercultural

understanding?

1. Trust. Trust develops over time, and when it does, it becomes much simpler to be

vulnerable with one another. When we make relationships and get to know each other, we

work on understanding and empathy. Vulnerable individuals are always prepared to put

themselves out there, despite the level of uncertainty that comes with such a decision, thus a

trial and subsequent failure provides us with valuable experience that allows us to approach

the problem much better. "This does not mean being fearless, but rather acknowledging the

weaknesses that come with being humans and knowing that we are hardwired for the

challenges of life." (Brown, 2012).

2. Intercultural awareness refers to the ability to perceive and participate with diverse cultural

communities, as well as the development of empathy. A thorough understanding of the

existence of various cultural perspectives aids in the development of resilience in the face of

a variety of situations, even if vulnerability remains. I've spoken with people who have
openly shared their concerns, struggles, insecurities, and experiences. This helped me acquire

compassion and empathy. While learning about other people's cultures, I developed empathy

and understanding, which allowed me to perceive and learn more about various civilizations.

3. Comparing ourselves to others to see how we stack up promotes a sense of selfishness,

whereas listening with an open mind to the ideas and thoughts of others allows us to reach

mutual joy and contentment. We should support and assist others rather than wasting energy

vying for self-validation. "Creativity helps to be financially stable, overcome obstacles, and

solve intricate cultural issues." (Brawon, 2012).

Conclusion

Being sociable allows people to grow, learn from one another, and experience various levels

of happiness, which shapes their entire mentality and well-being. Being vulnerable enables us

to be trustworthy and resilient, and as a result, we form connections and accept others for

who they are while enjoying diversity. Learning to be vulnerable is accepting the emotional

risk associated with being open and eager to love and be loved.

715 Words
 References

Brown, B. (2012). The power of vulnerability. Ted.com; TED Talks. Retrieved March 2,

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Darcy, A. M. (2023, March 6).What does feeling vulnerable mean? (perhaps different from

what you think). Harley TherapyTM Blog.

https://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/counselling/what-does-feeling-vulnerable-mean.htm

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05650 Holmes, L. (2017, January 16). 8 Habits Of

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Fritscher, L. (2023, July 19).Learn to open up and embrace your authentic self. Verywell

Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/fear-of-vulnerability-2671820

IGI Global. (n.d.). What is Intercultural Understanding | IGI Global. Www.igi-Global.com.

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