Describe a person from a different cultural background with whom you enjoy spending time
Describe a person from a different cultural background with whom you enjoy spending time.
You should say:
- Who the person is?
- How you met this person?
- What you do together?
- And explain why you enjoy spending time with him or her?
💡 You have 1 minute to prepare and should speak for 1-2 minutes.
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Sample Answer
I would like to talk about a time when I became close friends with Maria, a student from Spain, and how spending time with her has helped me understand and appreciate a different culture.
Who the person was?
Maria is an exchange student from Barcelona who joined my university last year for a one-year business management program. She is cheerful, open-minded, and incredibly passionate about sharing her culture, which immediately caught my attention.
When it was?
We first met around eight months ago during a college orientation event for international students. I volunteered to help newcomers settle in, and Maria was part of the group I was assigned to guide. From the first conversation, I noticed her warm personality and curiosity about Indian traditions.
How you met this person?
While I initially met her as a volunteer, our friendship really began when we ended up working together on a marketing project. We spent long hours discussing ideas, grabbing coffee, and exchanging stories about our countries. Those interactions made us realize how much we could learn from each other.
What you do together?
We often explore different aspects of our cultures. Sometimes I take her to local street-food markets and explain the history behind traditional dishes. In return, she invites me to Spanish cooking sessions where we prepare dishes like paella and tortilla.
We also enjoy watching movies in each other’s languages with subtitles, which is both entertaining and educational. On weekends, we like visiting art galleries or simply walking around the old parts of the city, comparing Indian and Spanish architecture.
Why you enjoy spending time with this person?
Spending time with Maria is refreshing because every meeting feels like a small cultural exchange. I learn not only about Spanish festivals, music, and customs but also new perspectives on global issues.
She has taught me to appreciate diversity and to question stereotypes. Her friendly and respectful attitude makes conversations easy and meaningful.
Conclusion
This friendship has shown me how enriching cross-cultural connections can be. By sharing food, language, and traditions, Maria and I have built a bond that goes beyond geography. It reminds me that understanding different cultures is one of the best ways to grow as a person.
Follow-up Questions (Part 3)
What benefits can international friendships bring?
International friendships broaden our worldview. They help us appreciate different traditions, languages, and ways of thinking. This kind of cultural exposure encourages tolerance and empathy. For example, through Maria I learned how Spanish people value family meals and late-night gatherings, which made me rethink how we spend time with our own families.
How can people overcome language barriers when making friends from other cultures?
Patience and creativity are key. Simple gestures, translation apps, and even body language can help at the beginning. Maria and I sometimes mixed English with a few Spanish and Hindi words, and it became a fun way to learn each other’s languages. Over time, these small efforts built confidence and mutual understanding.
Do you think it is important to learn about other cultures in today’s world?
Absolutely. In a globalized society, work and travel often bring people of different backgrounds together. Learning about other cultures reduces prejudice and helps in professional settings too. It teaches adaptability, which is valuable whether you are studying abroad, working in an international company, or simply interacting with diverse communities.
How can schools or workplaces encourage cross-cultural friendships?
They can organize cultural exchange events, language clubs, and group projects that mix local and international participants. Providing common spaces where people can casually interact—like community kitchens or shared lounges—also encourages spontaneous conversations. These initiatives create opportunities for friendships to develop naturally, just like how Maria and I met during the university’s orientation program.
- • Use the 1-minute preparation time to make notes and organize your thoughts
- • Speak for the full 1-2 minutes - don't stop too early
- • Use past tense when describing experiences or events
- • Include specific details and examples to make your answer interesting
- • Practice transitions between different points in your answer
- • Stay calm if you can't think of a perfect example - any relevant story works
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