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Professional Etiquette as an Online Student

Interpersonal Rules of Etiquette

Interpersonal rules of etiquette are also still in play in virtual settings, and in some cases, they may be even more important. For instance, fully remote universities, like Walden, employ and educate individuals from all over the globe.

One of Walden’s greatest strengths is its diversity.

However, with this strength comes a responsibility to ensure that all staff and students feel safe and respected, regardless of their cultural, religious, or personal backgrounds. This means respecting and understanding individual differences and the role they play in influencing behaviors and decisions that might be unfamiliar to you.

Use the flip cards to explore ways to improve your cultural sensitivity:

Examine Your Biases

Recognizing the unique lens through which you view the world can help you understand others’ perspectives.

Learn About Other Cultures

Travel, attend local or virtual cultural events, watch movies in a non-native language, and make friends from different backgrounds.

Appreciate Differences

Engaging with a diversity of perspectives improves critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills.

ADDRESSING Diversity

When learning to be sensitive of others’ backgrounds, use the ADDRESSING model to gain awareness of your own identity, as well as the identities of those around you.

Consider the following:

A

Age and Generation

D

Disability status (developmental)

D

Disability status (acquired)

R

Religion and Spirituality

E

Ethnicity

S

Socioeconomic Status

S

Sexual Orientation

I

Indigenous Heritage

N

National Origin

G

Gender or Gender Identity

Showing consideration for the unique aspects of others’ identities is key in understanding why they may behave and think differently from you. This is the first step in becoming more culturally competent and ensuring that you treat students, staff, and instructors with respect, regardless of their backgrounds. 


Being culturally sensitive means remaining aware of who we are, who others are, while also understanding how our worldviews, beliefs, and biases impact the way we perceive others.

-Mariangelly Sierra, Walden Peer Mentor



Learn more:


Embracing diversity and learning to respect others is a lifelong process. Check out these blog posts on Increasing your Cultural Sensitivity and 3 Strategies for Self-Examining Hidden Bias and Stereotypes.