Multiculturalism: the college classroom and the world of business

Budget considerations, political influences, and demographic trends are having a significant impact on universities and colleges. The rapid changes created by the computer and facsimile have profoundly altered the way in which people deal with information, and these changes have affected both business and education. Success depends on the process by which people understand, remember, and present information. Teachers are responsible for enabling students to organize information and make maximum use of their skills. From recent secondary school graduates with abundant theoretical knowledge to mature adults with many years of practical experience, students of different cultures and races bring with them varied customs and traditions. Academia´s challenge is to harmonize increasing cultural diversity in college classrooms with established protocol of the business world. Professors must prepare their students to function successfully in the world of business and, at the same time, maintain their individuality. Acknowledging this individuality affects teaching methods and curriculum design. How can professors prepare students to communicate effectively with people from different cultures in the classroom and in the business world? In addition to discussing recent findings on the topic, this paper focuses on the diversity of the students and the variety of their experiences and abilities; raises questions about classes and lessons; and attempts to reconcile this information in terms of established business practices