A great conference

I feel very fortunate to have attended the IMI conference this year. Not only were the issues covered of great relevance to the multicultural world of today and tomorrow, but the manner by which they were presented and the high caliber of presenters was exceptional.

 

Having read and heard about the Khan exercise multiple times, today’s session far outstretched my expectations! Dr Weaver was once again poignant and articulate in his introduction and debriefing of the Khan “experience,” as I now prefer to call it. It was a great pleasure to watch Khan conduct his craft, bringing the cultural theories and dimensions we have all been learning about to life. Even as an observer, I felt as though I was part of the experience and learned a great deal about my own preconceptions and how they may interfere in successful cross-cultural interaction.

 

This conference has left me better prepared for cross-cultural interaction across many levels. At an interpersonal level, the Khan experience taught me about the true, even quantifiable importance of self-awareness and knowledge of my own culture. At a business level, the Time Zones presentation increased my awareness of the logistical, cultural, and communicative complexities in working across countries and time zones. Even at the conflict resolution/negotiation level, the Air Force ADR session provided a great deal of fresh knowledge on effective negotiation tactics and how to cultivate relationships from even the most dire of conflicts.

 

All in all, I feel a more complete interculturalist, well equipped to identify, manage, solve, and educate others to the vivacious cornucopia of cross-cultural issues.

 

See everyone next year!