Intercultural Competence Training
A German expat in Kenya is not having a “Kenyan experience”. He is having a German experience in Kenya.
— free after Milton Bennett
Why Intercultural Competence Training?
I understand Afghan culture. I worked there in 2007.
Have you heard people talk like this?
Simply spoken culture is complex patterns of behavior and meaning. Culture is also dynamic, and deeply emotional. Understanding at which level of intercultural learning you are can help you, to deepen your intercultural experience. Why go deep? Deeper understandings of the host culture make your stay abroad more meaningful. If you understand how things work beyond simple do’s and don’ts, this will help you to make more informed judgements and live and work more effectively.
What happens during Intercultural Competence Training?
All intercultural training needs to start with a reflection of yourself. This is something People rarely done in everyday life, because there is no need to do so. But to be able to understand other cultural norms and values, it is crucial to first understand the cultural norms and values you where shaped by.
We will look at different models and theories on intercultural learning and communication and include recent scientific research on the two different processes of our mind, the intuitive and the reflective.
I work with case studies, small group exercises, and a variety of other interactive activities. There will be enough space to exchange experiences and discuss the questions most relevant to you.
Are you going abroad to serve in a peacekeeping mission in Mali? Are you a corporate manager sent to Shanghai to open a new business? Or are you a Humanitarian, who will coordinate vaccination campaigns in Mosambik?
I will adapt all training activities as much as possible to your context, needs and interests.
Why work with me?
All my life I have moved between a lot of different cultures, abroad and within my country of origin. Sometimes this was effortless and fun, sometimes it was more of a challenge. However, it has always been normal to me, and it took me a while to realize that it is not for most people. On the contrary, difference is something that scares a lot of people.
I would like to accompany you on your journey to go beyond surface experiences of other cultures, and towards deeper experiences. This does not mean, you have to agree with or like everything you encounter. In fact, resistance is a normal human reaction to unfamiliar experiences.
Gaining a local perspective and being able to intuitively understand what things mean locally is not just a wonderful experience. It helps you to be more effective in whatever field of work you are in and at the same time, enjoy your time abroad.
How do I work?
I have some basic principles, which apply to all the work I am doing.
Start by understanding your customer. I ask the right questions, and most importantly: listen!
No one-size-fits-all. All training is tailor-made and adapted to the needs of my customers.
I am 100% reliable. If I commit myself to a project, I deliver - in time.
Know your limits. If I do not have an answer to your problem, I will let you know. I do not like bullshit and I will not offer anything, I am not convinced of.
Each job is a learning opportunity. The feedback of my customers and participants will be taken seriously and fed into the next project.
This training can also be delivered online, using Zoom or other digital tools.