Headline

MINDFULINTERCULTURAL 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 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

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

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. 

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

We use intercultural communication skills everyday!• Interacting with individuals with different backgrounds - Age, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, educational background, country, region

What is culture?

What is Intercultural Communication?

Why is it important?

Cultural Dimensions

Berlitz Cultural Orientations

• 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

IndividualismAddresses the strength of the ties that people have to others within society

Individualistic CollectivistSelf-image defined in terms of “I” Self-image defined in terms of “We”Focus on self and immediate family Focus on extended family and

one’s social groups Value independence and individual interests

Value cohesion, saving face, and collective interests

Emphasis on individual initiative, achievement, and competitiveness

Emphasis on belonging, harmony, and community

Task prevails over relationship Relationship prevails over taskLoose connection with people and little sharing of responsibilities

Strong group cohesion and people take more responsibility for each other’s well-being

U.S., Australia, U.K., Netherlands Guatemala, Pakistan, Taiwan, South Korea

Geert Hofstede

Power Distance

Addresses how a society handles inequalities among people 

Low Power Distance High Power DistanceStrive to equalize the distribution of power

Accept unequal and hierarchical distribution of power

Comfortable questioning authority figures

Respectful of authority figures

Expect participatory and democratic power relationships

Expect autocratic and paternalistic power relationships

Austria, Israel, Denmark, New Zealand

Russia, Mexico, China, Saudi Arabia

Geert Hofstede

Uncertainty AvoidanceAddresses 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 ContextAddresses 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

Power Distance Individualism Masculinity Uncertainty Avoidance Long Term Orientation Indulgence

40

91

62

46

26

68

80

20

66

30

87

24

77

48

56

40

51

26

60

18

39

85

100

29

95

25

60

80

36

52

U.S. China India South Korea Saudia Arabia

The Hofstede Center: http://geert-hofstede.com/countries.html

CommunicationCommunication 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.

Environment/Context

Frame of Reference

Frame of Reference

What is happening here?

Perhaps...

Some Possible Interpretations:

• A man giving money to a woman

• A woman being robbed

• A woman giving her phone number to a man

• A woman asking for directions

• Two people engaged in an argument

• Two people engaged in a negotiation

Frame of Reference

• Impacted by our culture, socialization, intersecting identities, and personal experiences

• Impacted by your current mood, environment, and situation

• 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—

• 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• RespectImportant Skills:• Self-Awareness• Patience• Empathy• Flexibility

Communicating Across Difference Be aware of what you bring into an interaction

Be open

Be patient

Listen with your full attention

Consider body language/ non-verbal communication differences (e.g., eye contact)

Try to display empathy in your tone of voice

Smile and stay positive

Avoid slang, acronyms, idioms, jokes, and pop culture references unless you explain them

Don’t assume all students from a particular country/culture/identity will act the same

Communicating Across Difference 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” 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: Speak slowly (not loudly) and enunciate

Use simple terms and short sentences

Pause after sentences to allow students to process and ask questions

Summarize, paraphrase, and ask questions to confirm understanding

Don’t be afraid to ask a student to repeat what they have said

• 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

Pathways for Learning

Questions? Comments? Communication Tips?