Example of training

Furthering of intercultural competences

A workshop for German and international students

Aim

• The participants will find their start and life in a new culture to be made easier
• The participants will be made more sensitive regarding how they were cultural behaviour was formed as well as regarding the cultural interdependence of their world view.
• They experience more about essential cultural differences the world over. The focus will be on Germany as well as the other country in mind as well as the country they come from.
• The participants will receive the possibility to mutally exchange about and reflect upon the intercultural experiences that they already have
• The individual emotional reactions to the start in a new culture will be tested. Strategies for a constructive handing of the new situation will be developed.
• Through all of these aspects the formation of culturally-related conflict situations will be avoided.

Themes that are dealt with

• Cultural forming and it’s meaning for perception and understanding/interpretation
• Diversity of cultures (national culture, family culture, age culture, rural/urban culture, business culture, music culture, etc.)
• Cultural differences, dimensions and values
  • Direct versus indirect communication
  • Individualism versus collectivism
  • High versus low power distance (dealing with hierarchies)
  • Dealing with uncertainty: Planning and structure versus flexibility and spontaneity
  • Perception of and understanding about time
• Simulations
  • In the encounter with „foreign” cultures
  • Working with others in intercultural teams
• Coping strategies for the introduction to a new culture

Methodology

The whole training will be based upon the following three steps:

• Awareness of one’s own cultural forming
• Acquisition and consolidation of cultural knowledge
• Training of intercultural competences

At the same time I work with a colourful mix of the following methods:

• Small-group work (case studies, exchange of experience)
• Roundtable discussions (reflexion/activity transfer, development of strategies
• Short presentations (cultural dimensions, concepts)
• Simulation activities (Albatross, The Derdians)
• Role plays (e.g. Intercultural teamwork)

Theoretical background

I work predominantly with cultural dimensions and/or categories as defined by Hofstede, Trompanaars, Hall and Lewis. In doing so it is important for me that the scientific basis is being conveyed in a as concrete and graphic manner as possible. For that reason I use the participants’ own multifaceted experiences as well as a few examples of my own. The different dimensions become experiential through practical exercises.

Basic information

Length:

1,5 - 3 Tage

Number of participants:

8 – max. 20 participants, ideally 12–16

Target group:

International and German students