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cultures exchange

A platform for people around the world to learn about other cultures.

CULTURE

The way people live. This includes our beliefs, values, customs, traditions, language, and social norms. Culture can be considered something that is shared among a group of people.

about us

We're a platform for people around the world to share their experiences and learn about different cultures. â€‹

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Cultures Exchange was founded on the principles that we all have something significant to share and that we can all learn something about one another. This platform is a bridge for those on opposite ends of the world. It allows us to understand somebody's way of life, their language, music, food, and much more. This platform is your opportunity to hear and read about culture directly from those willing to tell their story. With more than eight billion people in the world, we're excited to explore as many cultures as possible with you.​

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Cultures Exchange is a community-based platform that highlights cultures both in the United States and around the globe. The platform was founded in 2023 by John Brocious who was living in Maryland, U.S.A and has operated across this website, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. 

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Cultures Exchange's background according to our founder:

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Two experiences shaped my passion for cultures as a child: sports and travel. Playing sports opened my eyes to hundreds of different cultures I might not have seen otherwise. Teammates, sometimes who lived nearby and sometimes who lived far away, often had completely different lives than I did. They ate different foods, listened to different music, spoke different languages went to different places of worship, and experienced life differently. I was fascinated in our differences and wanted to learn as much as I could about the way other people lived. Travel allowed me to do just that abroad. From living in France with host families to volunteering in the Dominican Republic, I was exposed to cultures outside of the U.S that would shape what I knew about myself and the world. The reality that we are so different and yet still so similar sparked a curiosity that has never diminished.

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Fast forward to 2023 when my work sent me to Texas for training. There, I was paired in a group with 4 employees who I had never met before who were born in India and moved to the U.S. I didn't have many Indian classmates growing up, nor did I play on teams with many Indian teammates - needless to say, I knew very little about Indian culture. Getting to know these four co-workers was mind boggling. During our breaks, at dinner, or relaxing while playing pool after work, I learned about their lives. Not only did they all live completely different lives in India, but they also lived completely different lives in the U.S. Eight "lives" from just four people who only lived in two countries. Stories of holidays, cooking, entertainment, celebrations, traditions, and even self-care were so vastly different. I almost couldn't believe how different Indian culture was within its own borders. I couldn't believe how different American culture was either. I had to know more about the world and I wanted others to know about it as well.

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While I was enjoying these casual cultural learning experiences, the realities I've seen at work, during my PhD research , and even in the news were also at play. Learning and sharing about cultures is fascinating, but I knew there are real-world applications and benefits to what I was experiencing:

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1. If we are to tackle today's problems, we must work together and/or learn from each other.

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"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller

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The world faces challenges every day from poverty to violence to healthcare to energy and resources. Often, these challenges are not isolated - problems in one part of the world become problems in another part of the world.

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Through my work in government and academia, I found that teams worked better when they knew each other well. While organizations brought a team together, it was culture that allowed it to function optimally. Teammates who knew each others values, beliefs, music and food preferences, religion, and experience connected better. Leaders could draw from these cultural differences to position the team better. Tasks were completed, problems were solved, and a sense of unity was formed. Cultures Exchange is merely the first step to help the world function better.

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2. If the United States hopes to remain a world leader, it must understand the world's people.

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"The future of this nation depends on the education and enlightenment of its people, not just within its borders, but across the globe." – Lyndon B. Johnson

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The U.S has a hand in so many aspects of the world - whether it be as a trade partner, security arm, healthcare contributor, or energy pioneer. Welcomed or unwelcomed by other countries, it's a reality that's unlikely to change in the near future. Criticism has been raised that Americans play such a major role in the world and yet Americans do not understand it properly. In fairness to my fellow Americans, it's impossible to know everything about everyone in every part of the world. Still, this does not mean we can't improve - especially those with global reach.

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To combat the stigma that Americans only care about themselves and enable those who are willing to learn about the world, I've created this platform to make understanding the world simpler. At Cultures Exchange, you will find a compilation of experiences and input from different people of various backgrounds around the world to make understanding the world a reality. This isn't a ploy to change anybody's culture here in the States, but rather providing a simple approach to know more about those outside of our borders.

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3. To build a strong sense of identity, we must understand ourselves.

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"To love your country, you must first understand it." – John F. Kennedy

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I love the United States and I love being an American. The privileges, experiences, culture, landscape, and society are something I thank God for daily. While I can't ignore our shortfalls, I am incredibly grateful to be here. I've often wished others could appreciate what goes on behind the (sometimes awful) news headlines and see what I see. This platform will provide a means to do just that. Not only from myself, but from others who love where they live, want to talk about where they've traveled, and experience the United States in a way that makes them authentically proud. Understanding ourselves allows us to understand others. Ironically, the nation of immigrants mixed together in a cultural melting pot has an identity - this platform will highlight it.

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Understanding our global and country's culture is not only interesting, but crucial for our success as humans. It unifies us, improves problem-solving, fosters collaboration, and enhances travel experiences. We call Cultures Exchange a platform rather than a company to promote sharing our stories with one another so we can achieve these benefits.

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Cultures Exchange Strategy

Fostering connections and creating a space for everyone to experience the world's cultures.

Image by Joshua Sortino

Vision

To be the world’s leading platform for fostering understanding, appreciation, and celebration of global cultures, bridging communities through knowledge and shared experiences.

Image by Gabrielle Triquet

Mission

Our mission is to educate, inspire, and connect people by providing engaging and reliable content about the diverse cultures of the world. Through storytelling, multimedia, and community interaction, we aim to create a deeper appreciation of the myriad of cultures around the globe.

Learn About the World

Greek Paradise

Travel Inspiration

Masai People in Zanzibar Tanzania

Africa

Marsaxlokk Malta

Europe

Image by Koushalya Karthikeyan

United States

Mountain

Tips & Guides

Small Street in Japan

Asia

Image by Jezael Melgoza

North America

Books

Culture Profiles

Country Flags

Global Cultures

Aboriginal Hunter

Australia & Oceania

Colorful Homes

South America

Political Interview

Reader Contributions

Elephant Festival in India

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© 2021 Cultures Exchange. All Rights Reserved.

Cultures Exchange

We're here to help the world tell its story. At Cultures Exchange, we believe everybody's culture is unique and worth sharing. Our goal is to highlight unique traditions, histories, and daily lives from around the world, fostering greater cultural understanding and appreciation.

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We're a family-run business, obsessed with global cultures, based in the United States, and incredibly excited to connect with you!

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