Attending the exchange session were Mr. Marcos Duarte – lecturer at Libertador Experimental Pedagogical University (UPEL) , Venezuela, and more than 70 students from the Faculty of Tourism – Hospitality, Business Administration, and Foreign Languages. With the skillful guidance of the guest lecturer, students learned about the culture of Latin American countries, the concept of cross-cultural communication through fun games and many attractive gifts.
According to Mr. Duarte, one of the common mistakes in daily communication between people working in the service industry, specifically in the tourism and hotel industry, and guests from different cultures, is cultural misunderstanding. For example, greeting with a kiss on the cheek or a hug in many Western countries is considered polite. Meanwhile, performing similar actions is often considered impolite in Eastern countries. In addition, seemingly common gestures, such as raising the thumb, do not always have a positive or approving meaning when applied in different cultures. The act of raising the thumb in some places in West Africa, Russia, Iran, Greece or Sardinia is often understood as an insult, similar to the act of raising the middle finger in many Western cultures.
Along with theoretical concepts, students also have the opportunity to learn and practice basic communication patterns in Spanish – a language considered one of the most popular languages in the world – through simple songs, such as “El burrito sabanero” (“The Little Donkey from the Grass”) – a Venezuelan aguinaldo-style Christmas song.
Continuing the program, students had the opportunity to prepare and enjoy golden arepas made from ground corn flour, originating from Northern South America in pre-Columbian times. Arepa is a familiar corn cake in the daily meals of Venezuelans and is also a traditional cake representing Colombian cuisine. The crispy and hot arepas, appearing for the first time in Vietnam, are served with chorizo - a pork sausage of Roman origin, and melted mozzarella cheese, which can satisfy even the most demanding diners.
The exchange session with the theme “Multicultural communication in tourism and hospitality” was inspired by the subject of the same name of the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality. With the ambition to integrate internationality into teaching and learning, the Tourism and Hospitality English Club hopes to have more opportunities to bring more meaningful programs, creating conditions for students of the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality, as well as students of other Faculties of HUFLIT to have more opportunities to access advanced education, international integration, and rich in national identity.
