The beginning of the presentation attracted much audience’s attention with beautiful music and interesting use of iceberg analogy, which showed the apparent features as skin color, gender, and dress, and at the same time the unapparent features as education. It went more interesting when the presenter asked the audience to close their eyes, and when everybody opened his eyes again, the presenter changed her outer appearance a little bit by wearing a headscarf. By doing this, she asked her audience to write some stereotypes that exist in society about women dressed like her, with the headscarf.
Such a beginning is very much engaging. Everybody was sort of convinced of the power of non-verbal communication because everybody got exactly what the presentation would be about. The presenter then asked the audience to do group work on the question: How could you non-verbally engage us here today on a topic like stereotyping, prejudice, or ethnocentrism?
There were five groups who presented stereotypes on marriage between man and woman and bias on gay marriage, names that bring prejudices and assumptions, and so forth. Every group showed successfully that non-verbal communication could be as much as or even more effective than verbal communication. People could refer to pictures, videos, and performances to achieve communication thus breaking down the wall to tables. Everyone just learned how to teach so effectively without speaking, not by listening to a lecture or a presentation, but by participating in it. It’s the best presentation I’ve ever been in.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Day 2
Initiating with a serious of innovative frameworks and models, today’s sessions were as great as yesterday. The curriculum contained academic research and practitioners’ experiences, specifically focusing on the implementation of intercultural knowledge in the real world. One minor improvement that could be made in the future is the structure of audience interaction. While everyone had different presentation style, the common goal in this conference was to clearly explain the content in a limited amount of time. In addition to the theoretical framework, a little more experience-sharing and case discussion would help the audience to engage further with the speakers.
The most impressive session today was from our keynote speaker Mona. By adopting the video clips and social networking tools, she effectively changed everyone’s understanding about the Muslim religion in modern society. I have never thought about how these Web2.0 instruments could empower young Muslims to freely express themselves in the aspects of politics, human right, and activities. I am optimistic about the change (which is probably following after a serious of confusion as Mona noted), and consider it as an initial aspect of a revolution, which indicates that more diverse voices will be heard in the future.
The most impressive session today was from our keynote speaker Mona. By adopting the video clips and social networking tools, she effectively changed everyone’s understanding about the Muslim religion in modern society. I have never thought about how these Web2.0 instruments could empower young Muslims to freely express themselves in the aspects of politics, human right, and activities. I am optimistic about the change (which is probably following after a serious of confusion as Mona noted), and consider it as an initial aspect of a revolution, which indicates that more diverse voices will be heard in the future.
Great cross-cultral education
Rosian Chia is a professor in the Department of Psychology at East Carolina University. Her presentation together with her colleague Biwu Yang on Education for Generation Y is a pretty detailed introduction to the project they’ve been successfully doing. The project goes very well with the trend of the growing use of technology in education; it does international education technologically. Basically, they provide courses on anthropology, psychology and other courses to students who cannot afford to study abroad. The way they teach is much more student-centered. Students have various ways to communicate to each other via internet, specifically skype, blog, wiki, email, and so forth in class simultaneously and after class for more discussion and communication. The project is working well because it does not need so much money, but can bring great benefits by properly using sources cross-culturally. It is win-win.
The best thing, to my knowledge, is that students are excited about the way they are taught. Actually, they are not taught; they are learning initiatively with their peers in other countries. They are touched at heart by communicating with “real” people from different cultures. It would benefit them most if they are learning culture, or intercultural communication. They can learn real culture from real people. The different teaching pedagogy will also be something of culture. The presentation covers even the challenges the project faces and the ways to approach them, including different Time Zone, technology, language and so forth.
The project is pretty applicable and will definitely benefit countries where education needs more help. Take China as an example, most universities have sound multi-media equipment, locked in labs with nobody using them. The co-teaching via internet will help promote computer-aid teaching. Another fact is that language major students want to communicate with real foreigners to improve their language proficiency, but they don’t have any access to them. Knowing this project, I think it would be a good idea for the exchange of culture by having language classes from abroad and offering native language classes to abroad. Besides, the meanwhile exchange programs are always taken by very few elite students, but this model offers opportunity to every student equally the chance to experience the live, real foreign languages and cultures. It is a money-saving, practical model which worth our efforts to benefit student interculturally.
The best thing, to my knowledge, is that students are excited about the way they are taught. Actually, they are not taught; they are learning initiatively with their peers in other countries. They are touched at heart by communicating with “real” people from different cultures. It would benefit them most if they are learning culture, or intercultural communication. They can learn real culture from real people. The different teaching pedagogy will also be something of culture. The presentation covers even the challenges the project faces and the ways to approach them, including different Time Zone, technology, language and so forth.
The project is pretty applicable and will definitely benefit countries where education needs more help. Take China as an example, most universities have sound multi-media equipment, locked in labs with nobody using them. The co-teaching via internet will help promote computer-aid teaching. Another fact is that language major students want to communicate with real foreigners to improve their language proficiency, but they don’t have any access to them. Knowing this project, I think it would be a good idea for the exchange of culture by having language classes from abroad and offering native language classes to abroad. Besides, the meanwhile exchange programs are always taken by very few elite students, but this model offers opportunity to every student equally the chance to experience the live, real foreign languages and cultures. It is a money-saving, practical model which worth our efforts to benefit student interculturally.
Interactive Learning
The IMI conference workshop is definitely one of my best experiences in group learning. I had a really great time in today’s session. The curriculum was well-designed and the instructors were very knowledgeable about the interactive training skill, leading the whole session with effective control of timing, rich material and intensive brainstorming.
The participants surprised me too. Within a friendly atmosphere, the workshop progressed under an organizational culture of sharing in a short period of time, allowing everyone to feel comfortable and confident in expressing his/her point of view. Each of us played the role as both audience and teacher at the same time. While we listened to and enjoyed instructors’ presentations, we were also required to observe and think about the class content, provide feedback and self-reflect to our own abilities as well. Many participants are very experienced trainers in the intercultural area; they not only showed their great passion for this issue, but also share valuable opinions based on their practical experiences, such as tips to motivate audience participation or the importance of dealing with cultural taboos.
Back to the very beginning of the pre-conference workshop, participants reached common ground that intercultural training is not only about knowledge and skills, it is also about attitude (probably the most important element). I got the strong impression that creating interactive cultural exchange is based on the open attitude. Many great books I seen are interesting and could serve as guide books for inter-culturalist, but learning how to implement these methods effectively in the real world is even more valuable for today’s conference.
The participants surprised me too. Within a friendly atmosphere, the workshop progressed under an organizational culture of sharing in a short period of time, allowing everyone to feel comfortable and confident in expressing his/her point of view. Each of us played the role as both audience and teacher at the same time. While we listened to and enjoyed instructors’ presentations, we were also required to observe and think about the class content, provide feedback and self-reflect to our own abilities as well. Many participants are very experienced trainers in the intercultural area; they not only showed their great passion for this issue, but also share valuable opinions based on their practical experiences, such as tips to motivate audience participation or the importance of dealing with cultural taboos.
Back to the very beginning of the pre-conference workshop, participants reached common ground that intercultural training is not only about knowledge and skills, it is also about attitude (probably the most important element). I got the strong impression that creating interactive cultural exchange is based on the open attitude. Many great books I seen are interesting and could serve as guide books for inter-culturalist, but learning how to implement these methods effectively in the real world is even more valuable for today’s conference.
Thinking Outside of the Box
Having an Engineering background, I often tend to over analyze situations and find logical ways to address problems. Today's sessions reminded me that this is not always possible when dealing with people, and cultural dilemmas require thinking outside of the box. Fons Trompenaars clearly illustrated this by showing how linear models often miss the mark through his example on the value of integrity. As professionals in the field, we often get bogged down with theories and forget that people don't always fit inside the box. I was grateful that Mr. Trompenaars was so passionate about reminding us that there does not have to be one right and one wrong answer to every dilemma. We must ask the right questions in order to encourage people to come up with innovative solutions which incorporate a combination of preference, rather than simply pushing a position we think is right.
Throughout the day I was reminded that real people have real emotions and as basic as that sounds, it is often easy to forget when we are overwhelmed or stressed out. However, the sessions today constantly brought this to mind for me. I began to reflect on the practical methods presented today in light of my work in the field of Education. I often work with teenagers, and I can adapt the games which Dr. Harris led us through to lessons in cultural awareness and effective communication. More importantly, thinking outside of the box, I can see the deeper implications of these lessons and how students respond to them beyond the obvious goals. Ray Leki also brought up mindfulness and the fact that when we are mindful, we can better observe our responses to situations, thus regaining control in stressful situations. This is especially useful when working with teenagers who often do not know how to refocus or re-center in intense situations.
Overall, I learned many new techniques and other helpful information today, but for me the most important aspect of the conference so far has been this realization that we constantly need to think outside of the box. As people grow and change, we need to constantly develop innovative ways to meet their needs. And, in our fast-paced society we need to remember to take the time to be aware of ourselves, our emotions, and the emotional responses of those with whom we work and serve.
Throughout the day I was reminded that real people have real emotions and as basic as that sounds, it is often easy to forget when we are overwhelmed or stressed out. However, the sessions today constantly brought this to mind for me. I began to reflect on the practical methods presented today in light of my work in the field of Education. I often work with teenagers, and I can adapt the games which Dr. Harris led us through to lessons in cultural awareness and effective communication. More importantly, thinking outside of the box, I can see the deeper implications of these lessons and how students respond to them beyond the obvious goals. Ray Leki also brought up mindfulness and the fact that when we are mindful, we can better observe our responses to situations, thus regaining control in stressful situations. This is especially useful when working with teenagers who often do not know how to refocus or re-center in intense situations.
Overall, I learned many new techniques and other helpful information today, but for me the most important aspect of the conference so far has been this realization that we constantly need to think outside of the box. As people grow and change, we need to constantly develop innovative ways to meet their needs. And, in our fast-paced society we need to remember to take the time to be aware of ourselves, our emotions, and the emotional responses of those with whom we work and serve.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Cross Cultural communications: what to say and what not to say?
Fons Trompenaars, Dr. Gary R. Weaver, Bagher Fardanesh and Motoo Unno; all of them have one thing in common and that is a passion to demystify and explore intercultural relations and communications and its impacts on our interactions in a multi cultural and global society, day to day lives or business practices and negotiations. I got the opportunity of listening and interacting with them and a host of other intercultural practitioners, during the first day of the 11th Annual Conference on Intercultural Relations: A Forum for Business, Education and Training Professionals held at American University.
For me the main highpoints of the day were the following sessions: key note address by Fons Trompenaars, internationally acclaimed Dutch author in the field of cross cultural communications. With his humorous presentation style, he captured the participants’ attention and spoke about models of communication and dimensions. Next in line, was Dr. Weavers’ simulation exercise called ‘The Mr. Khan’ which looks at cross-cultural communication and analytical skills. It was very interesting to note that how communication barriers and cultural differences can affect business negotiations. We were informed that the contrast-culture simulation was developed in the mid-1960 as a part of a training project commissioned by the U.S. Army to improve the interpersonal communications skills of its overseas military advisors. I have personally become a fan of Motoo Unno, visiting scholar from Meiji University, Tokyo Japan. His presentation on the Toyota hearing reflected on the Japanese values, beliefs and thought patterns. He also touched upon the differences between Japanese and Americans when it comes to conflict handling and negotiation styles. His easy and conversant style of presentation with anecdotes was a great hit among all of us.
For me the main highpoints of the day were the following sessions: key note address by Fons Trompenaars, internationally acclaimed Dutch author in the field of cross cultural communications. With his humorous presentation style, he captured the participants’ attention and spoke about models of communication and dimensions. Next in line, was Dr. Weavers’ simulation exercise called ‘The Mr. Khan’ which looks at cross-cultural communication and analytical skills. It was very interesting to note that how communication barriers and cultural differences can affect business negotiations. We were informed that the contrast-culture simulation was developed in the mid-1960 as a part of a training project commissioned by the U.S. Army to improve the interpersonal communications skills of its overseas military advisors. I have personally become a fan of Motoo Unno, visiting scholar from Meiji University, Tokyo Japan. His presentation on the Toyota hearing reflected on the Japanese values, beliefs and thought patterns. He also touched upon the differences between Japanese and Americans when it comes to conflict handling and negotiation styles. His easy and conversant style of presentation with anecdotes was a great hit among all of us.
Day 1: Self-Awareness
Hi, everyone! This is my first IMI conference and I must say that it has been one of the best conferences I have attended in my professional career. I’m not just saying to prove that I’m a good scholarship recipient (!) but to show how much I’m learning through the sessions I attended and the people with whom I interacted with today.
My conference was off to a great start with a very hands-on and interactive session this morning, which I’d say was the highlight of my Day 1; “Fun, Function, & Fundamentals: Games & Intercultural Theory” by Mr. Harris. He had us try a couple of activities, which required teamwork, thinking outside a “box,” problem solving skills with very limited resource, and creativity. Those activities were perceived differently depending on the participant; fun, challenging, interesting, and etc. My experience was actually driven by “fear” for not understanding the norms or patterns of a culture, which in this case was the “game.” I tried to “pretend” that I was following when everybody else had started figuring things out, but it felt painful to behave in a certain way with a great deal of uncertainty. Why? Because it requires mistakes and experiences in order to fully immerse yourself in a new setting/environment/culture. You have to replace your fear with courage to take off your cultural lenses and put your cultural perceptions aside. It’s not about right or wrong, win or lose, nor superior or inferior. Everything above is what I have to constantly remind myself of. My very first IMI experience was followed by a session on “Cultural DNA” and two more hands-on training of trainers sessions in the afternoon (“The Mr. Khan Exercise” and “Power Dynamics & Inclusivity”), which consisted of simulations, interactive discussions, and role-plays.
I must emphasize all the facilitators of the sessions I attended today knew exactly how to handle group dynamics. They were great at soliciting input, letting people bounce off ideas, and dealing with silence, which is an important skill set when approaching a culturally diverse group of people. Although the fear for not being accepted, included, and recognized by others affected part of me today, I know I’ll be able to step out of my comfort zone because the safe learning environment will continue to be created by the facilitators and participants in tomorrow’s sessions. It is my opportunity to further explore and challenge my cultural identity and improve KSAs as an intercultural trainer and I will not waste that.
As a closure, my favorite quote of the day is by “Mr. Khan” - “everybody should be respected by one another because everyone has/is a flower to bloom.”
My conference was off to a great start with a very hands-on and interactive session this morning, which I’d say was the highlight of my Day 1; “Fun, Function, & Fundamentals: Games & Intercultural Theory” by Mr. Harris. He had us try a couple of activities, which required teamwork, thinking outside a “box,” problem solving skills with very limited resource, and creativity. Those activities were perceived differently depending on the participant; fun, challenging, interesting, and etc. My experience was actually driven by “fear” for not understanding the norms or patterns of a culture, which in this case was the “game.” I tried to “pretend” that I was following when everybody else had started figuring things out, but it felt painful to behave in a certain way with a great deal of uncertainty. Why? Because it requires mistakes and experiences in order to fully immerse yourself in a new setting/environment/culture. You have to replace your fear with courage to take off your cultural lenses and put your cultural perceptions aside. It’s not about right or wrong, win or lose, nor superior or inferior. Everything above is what I have to constantly remind myself of. My very first IMI experience was followed by a session on “Cultural DNA” and two more hands-on training of trainers sessions in the afternoon (“The Mr. Khan Exercise” and “Power Dynamics & Inclusivity”), which consisted of simulations, interactive discussions, and role-plays.
I must emphasize all the facilitators of the sessions I attended today knew exactly how to handle group dynamics. They were great at soliciting input, letting people bounce off ideas, and dealing with silence, which is an important skill set when approaching a culturally diverse group of people. Although the fear for not being accepted, included, and recognized by others affected part of me today, I know I’ll be able to step out of my comfort zone because the safe learning environment will continue to be created by the facilitators and participants in tomorrow’s sessions. It is my opportunity to further explore and challenge my cultural identity and improve KSAs as an intercultural trainer and I will not waste that.
As a closure, my favorite quote of the day is by “Mr. Khan” - “everybody should be respected by one another because everyone has/is a flower to bloom.”
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