A multicultural activity for adults can be simply a fun group activity, part of a university course or a more light-hearted component of diversity training. But whether approached in a club, classroom or company setting, multicultural activities for adults promote learning about and greater understanding of different countries, cultures and groups.
World Greetings
Hundreds of different languages are spoken around the world, meaning that "Hello" or similar greetings have hundreds of translations and manifestations. However, words are not the only difference in greetings around the world. The gestures or body language that people use vary greatly from culture to culture. Have the group learn how to greet people in a series of different languages with the correct body language. Examples include: "Hola" and a kiss on each cheek in Spain, "Namaste" and a slight head bow while pressing the palms together at the chest in India and "Konnichiwa" and a full bow from the waist in Japan.
Fashion Workshop
Many people around the world wear clothing instead of or in addition to Western-style pants, shirts and shoes. Have the group learn about the wide variety of fashion articles worn by peoples around the world and immigrant groups, too, due to cultural or religious reasons. Three examples include teaching the group how to wrap an Indian woman's sari, a Sikh person's turban and a Muslim woman's hijab head covering. If possible, have supplies for each person and allow him to try to accurately create the fashions as explained by the teacher or facilitator.
Cooking Day
Urban cities around the world have lots of restaurants featuring international cuisines. Even so, your group may be unfamiliar with many cuisines of other countries or the more traditional foods of cuisines with which they may already be familiar. Lead the group in a cooking workshop to create a number of dishes from different cuisines, or else a typical full meal, including appetizer, non-alcoholic drink and dessert, from one type of cuisine.
Movie Night
Movies from other countries, that are subtitled or dubbed into English of course, are a great way to introduce your group to other cultures. You can start with a film in a genre they may have heard about, like a kung fu fighting flick from China or a Bollywood film from India, or else you could opt for something completely different that they have probably never heard of. Lead a discussion of the movie afterwards using some questions you have prepared in advance as a guideline.
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Writer Bio
Sarah Rogers has been a professional writer since 2007. Her writing has appeared on Nile Guide, Spain Expat and Matador, as well as in “InMadrid.” She is also the author of “Living in Sunny Spain Made Easy.” Rogers often writes about living abroad and immigration law. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and Spanish from San Francisco State University.