Transcript Karen Crouch Carolyn Salter – CU Boulder

Headline
MINDFUL
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Karen Crouch, Coordinator of International Student Orientation
Carolyn Salter, International Student & Scholar Advisor
April 24, 2015
Institute of International Education. (2014).Open Doors Report on International
Educational Exchange. Retrieved from http://www.iie.org/opendoors
# of International Students in Colorado: 9,621
NAFSA 2013-2014 International Student Economic Value Fact Sheet
Financial Contribution of International Students in Colorado: $303.4 Million
NAFSA 2013-2014 International Student Economic Value Fact Sheet
Colorado
Audience Poll
How many people have traveled outside the U.S. for an extended period of time?
Did anyone travel outside the U.S. when they were under 20 years old?
How many people are fluent in another language?
Could you speak a second language well enough to function academically at the
university level in another country?
How many people have lived abroad?
How many people have intercultural interactions on a monthly, weekly, daily basis?
Challenges International Students Encounter
Prior to and Upon Arrival in Boulder
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Proving a year of financial support in order for an I-20 to be issued
(e.g., CU-Boulder: $56,230 undergrad/ $46,280 graduate)
Obtaining student visa at U.S. consulate
Air travel, missed flights, long layovers, jetlag!
Customs & Border Protection inspections at Port of Entry
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English is 2nd, 3rd, 4th…language
Adjusting to new culture
Navigating a new country and city
Finding a place to live
Utilizing public transportation
Altitude
And within weeks… issues?
• Completing required immunizations, check-ins, and orientations
• Settling in
- Furnishing residence, opening bank account, finding on-campus job,
applying for SSN, applying for a Colorado license
• Cultural adjustment Issues
• Homesickness and separation issues
- Lack of support network (family, friends, religion)
• Independence issues
• Academic adjustment issues
- Classroom culture, terminology, expectations; full-time enrollment
• Maintaining immigration status
• Stress, anxiety, depression, physical illness
Intercultural Communication
What is culture?
System of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors,
and/or artifacts that impact how one interacts with and
understands the world.
• Nations, regions, religions, generations, schools,
organizations, interest groups can have a culture
• We are all complex, multi-cultural beings operating
with many cultural lenses
What is Intercultural Communication?
Communication that aims to share information across different cultures and social groups.
• It is used to describe the wide range of communication processes and problems that naturally appear in a
society/organization/group made up of individuals from different backgrounds (e.g., religious, social, ethnic,
educational, language).
• Comprised of verbal and non-verbal communication (eye contact, facial expressions, tone of voice)
- Nonverbal communication has been shown to account for between 65% and 93% of interpreted
communication.
Why is it important?
We use intercultural communication skills everyday!
• Interacting with individuals with different backgrounds
- Age, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, educational background, country, region
Cultural Dimensions
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Constructs: Many different models and types of theorizations for cultural dimensions/orientations
Reflect general cultural norms
Are relative and rely on comparisons
Are at the group-level and do not account for individual-level differences
Can provide insight into an interaction or culture but are not predictive
Berlitz Cultural Orientations
Individualism
Addresses the strength of the ties that people have to
others within society
Individualistic
Self-image defined in terms of “I”
Focus on self and immediate family
Value independence and individual
interests
Emphasis on individual initiative,
achievement, and competitiveness
Task prevails over relationship
Loose connection with people and
little sharing of responsibilities
U.S., Australia, U.K., Netherlands
Geert Hofstede
Collectivist
Self-image defined in terms of “We”
Focus on extended family and
one’s social groups
Value cohesion, saving face, and
collective interests
Emphasis on belonging, harmony,
and community
Relationship prevails over task
Strong group cohesion and people
take more responsibility for each
other’s well-being
Guatemala, Pakistan, Taiwan,
South Korea
Power Distance
Addresses how a society handles inequalities among
people
Low Power Distance
Strive to equalize the distribution of
power
Comfortable questioning authority
figures
Expect participatory and
democratic power relationships
Austria, Israel, Denmark, New
Zealand
Geert Hofstede
High Power Distance
Accept unequal and hierarchical
distribution of power
Respectful of authority figures
Expect autocratic and paternalistic
power relationships
Russia, Mexico, China, Saudi
Arabia
Uncertainty Avoidance
Addresses the degree of anxiety society members feel
when in uncertain or unknown situations.
Low Uncertainty Avoidance
High Uncertainty Avoidance
More relaxed and tolerant of ambiguity Feel stress and anxiety when in
uncertain or unknown situations
Value self-discovery of truth and less
focus on rules
Value rigid codes of belief, rules, and
order
Tolerant of a diversity of opinions
Intolerant of unorthodox behavior and
ideas
Value practice
Value principles
More likely to take a risk
More likely to act conservatively
Jamaica, Denmark, Sweden, U.K.
Russia, Japan, Belgium, France,
Geert Hofstede
Low Context – High Context
Addresses where meaning is located in an interaction
Low Context (Direct)
High Context (Indirect)
Meaning is communicated in the
message/language
Meaning is embedded in the
situation/group/relationship
People speak directly—say explicitly
what they mean
People speak indirectly--suggest or
imply
The goal of communication is to send
or receive information
The goal of communication is to
preserve and strengthen relationships
U.S., U.K., Canada, Germany
Japan, China, Saudi Arabia,
Comparison of Cultural Dimensions
100
95
91
87
85
80
80
77
68
66
62
60
60
56
52
51
48
46
40
40
39
36
30
26
25
20
POWER DISTANCE
24
26
29
18
INDIVIDUALISM
MASCULINITY
U.S.
China
India
UNCERTAINTY
AVOIDANCE
South Korea
The Hofstede Center: http://geert-hofstede.com/countries.html
Saudia Arabia
LONG TERM
ORIENTATION
INDULGENCE
Communication
Communication exchanges often reflect cultural values and one’s
individual experiences and characteristic
- Can vary based on socialization, personality, context, medium,
frame of reference, mood etc.
Frame of
Reference
Frame of
Reference
Environment/Context
What is happening here?
Perhaps...
Some Possible Interpretations:
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A man giving money to a woman
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A woman being robbed
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A woman giving her phone number to a man
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A woman asking for directions
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Two people engaged in an argument
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Two people engaged in a negotiation
Frame of Reference
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Impacted by our culture, socialization, intersecting identities, and
personal experiences
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Impacted by your current mood, environment, and situation
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Influences your perceptions-- how you interpret and act in a situation
It is critical that one is aware of what s/he brings into an interaction—
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What is your communication style?
What are your expectations and biases?
How does your social location impact an interaction?
Where are the limits of your frame of reference?
Reflection
What have your interactions with international students been like?
What challenges have you faced?
What do you bring with you into your interactions with international
students?
How do the trends and experiences on the initial slides impact how you
think about the service you provide to international students?
Mindful Communication
Important Attitudes:
• Openness
• Curiosity
• Respect
Important Skills:
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Self-Awareness
Patience
Empathy
Flexibility
Communicating Across Difference
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Be aware of what you bring into an interaction
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Be open
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Be patient
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Listen with your full attention
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Consider body language/ non-verbal communication differences (e.g., eye contact)
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Try to display empathy in your tone of voice
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Smile and stay positive
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Avoid slang, acronyms, idioms, jokes, and pop culture references unless you
explain them
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Don’t assume all students from a particular country/culture/identity will act the same
Communicating Across Difference
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When a student smiles or nods, it does not necessarily mean s/he understands or
agrees
- It can mean, “I am confused but embarrassed to ask a question”
- It can mean “I do not agree but I also do not want to cause conflict”
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Use non-verbal / visual aids to clarify and/or reinforce a message
- have student write down words you are struggling to understand
- also write down your response: names, instructions, directions; provide a map;
draw a timeline; use an online translator; send a follow-up email
If there is a language barrier:
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Speak slowly (not loudly) and enunciate
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Use simple terms and short sentences
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Pause after sentences to allow students to process and ask questions
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Summarize, paraphrase, and ask questions to confirm understanding
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Don’t be afraid to ask a student to repeat what they have said
Pathways for Learning
• Developing mindful communication is a life-long process
…enjoy the journey!
• Empathy goes a long way, even when you don’t know the
specifics of another culture or experience.
• Have fun, learn, share, and appreciate the value of
international students on-campus and in the community
Questions? Comments?
Communication Tips?