Challenges of Teaching in a Different Culture: An Auto-ethnographic Study

Abstract

Teaching in a different culture and environment is always a challenging issue. This may last from a few months to a few years, depending on the consequences of personal characteristics and environmental situations. Based on a personal experience, this article investigates the possible cultural differences between the lecturer and students in a teaching environment and understanding how the student perceptions may gradually change and the student–lecturer interaction may evolve until the semester ends. In a methodological way, the conclusions were drawn out of a mixed-method approach that is composed of a personal observation of the lecturer (etic), and expressions, both verbal and written, and memories of other persons (students) within the same class (emic). In lights of Hofstede's cultural dimensions, the study addresses a list of practical implications as the "lessons learned"—presumably the best way to cope with the challenges of teaching in a different culture.