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Today, the Business Intensive students took part in a simulation where they are split into two distinct cultures with unique customs and norms. Students must learn their own culture’s values and communication styles, and then they begin to trade and interact within their own culture. But, this simulation has a twist! Small groups of students from each culture switch to another culture, and try to learn from observing what the other culture is like. Throughout this process, the students try to learn as much as they can about the other culture so that they can effectively trade and communicate with them, but it is often more challenging than it seems to pinpoint the workings of a culture just by viewing how they interact with each other. The BINT students experienced the complexities that come from trying to work with cultures that differ from one’s own, but it has given them the chance to exercise understanding, empathy, and a willingness to learn, showing to them how their interactions can benefit from being open-minded.