Cultural Exchange
Benefits of Cultural Exchange within the Equestrian Industry
Cultural Exchange programs may offer the largest benefit to those individuals inhabiting rural areas around the world. Many of these under-served communities already experience geographic isolation and systemic poverty. Insufficient educational resources and patterns of exclusion in rural communities may undermine the ability of certain groups to break the generational cycle of poverty, especially for women and the youth. Most people living in impoverished rural areas never have the opportunity to leave their communities, let alone experience difference cultures in foreign lands. Cultural exchange programs can provide life changing experiences for individuals of rural areas, providing both social and economic benefits to people and their communities alike.
The culture of equestrianism has been in development over thousands of years. Horses have been and continue to be an integral part of many cultures, and over the centuries even been the basis for the development of new cultural innovations. Equestrianism in Europe has its differences from Asia, just as there are differences between the Americas and Arabian equestrianism. Cultural exchange within the Equine industry provides both social and economic benefits to people and their communities alike.
Social Benefits:
1. Provides opportunity to learn about American culture, society and values, and to share their own with the American people.
2. Develop cultural literacy, empathy, effective cross-cultural communication skills, appreciation of diversity and global-mindedness.
3. Gain new perspectives on long standing cultural beliefs and norms, helping to reduce gender bias and other forms of discrimination.
4. Builds self esteem and confidence.
5. Promotes understanding and peace across different cultures, nationalities, religions and geographic regions around the world.
Economic Benefits:
1. Improve the rural community’s ability to diversify employment and Income opportunities. The multiplier effect of the equine industry promotes growth to both ago and non-ago businesses. Opportunity and income diversification are key components to eradicating rural poverty.
2. Gain experience and a skill under the tutelage of industry renowned instructors, increasing professional value and personal earnings potential
3. Host countries of international exchange gain economic benefits as well. Local business owners gain insights into foreign cultures which are in valuable when competing in a global economy.