Cultural differences Finland vs Egypt : a guidebook for Finnish teachers

Abstract

In today´s diverse world everybody needs cultural awareness and intercultural competence. This research aims to analyze the cultural differences between Finland and Egypt. The goal is to support TAMK Global Education to export high-level education to Arab countries.

The research question answered in this project is: What are the most relevant cultural differences between Finland and Egypt that Finnish teachers should understand in order to work successfully in Egypt?

The qualitative approach was chosen and in the empirical part of the study the data was collected by interviewing the Egyptians who are living in Finland and have background in higher education in Egypt or in Finland. The theories of cross cultural communication were reviewed and the theoretical framework formed from psychologist Geert Hofstede´s Cultural Dimensions model and Richard D. Lewis´s Cultural Types model.

The key finding of the work is that the most significant differences between the cultures are at the areas of religion, national values, communication style and collectivism. The differences are noticeable in issues related to the power dis-tance and collectivism which are high in the Egyptian culture compared to Finland where the interpersonal ties are loose and individuals are equal.

From the interviews and conclusions is created a guidebook for a Finnish teacher in the form of practical advices. Updating this guidebook by interviewing the Egyptian university staff and the Finns participating in the project would deepen the commissioner´s understanding of the cultural differences and help them in problem solving and developing their performance.