In this thinkpiece Fran Martin looks at cultural similarity and difference within the context of global learning. The use of the words similarity and difference are often heard in the context of global learning. Drawing on academic theory, Martin, explores three different ways of thinking about cultural similarity and difference followed by a short practical example of a teacher study visit to the Gambia. Martin concludes by promoting a relational pedagogy for global learning in which educators listen, relate to and learn from multiple perspectives. This enables one fostering their own self-awareness and open-mindedness about difference before working with students to foster theirs.