Intercultural Learning with Outdoor Training and Experiential Learning under the Perspective of Culturally Divergent Concepts of Nature

This paper examines possible impacts of culturally divergent concepts of nature on
intercultural learning situations conducted in an outdoor setting. It further investigates the
relationship of the terms nature and culture and draws attention to the social constructionist
approach of defining nature as a social and cultural phenomenon. Different concepts of
nature have diverse implications for behavior. If concepts of nature are socially constructed
and culturally bound, culture can be said to influence a person s relationship and attitude
towards nature. Of course nature plays a major role in outdoor training interventions,
because the action usually takes place in natural environment. This paper argues that
specific approaches to nature can also be used for enhancing intercultural learning
processes of persons and groups, as nature can be used for learning purposes that
emphasize analogue elements of communication that are especially apt for intercultural
dialogue.