CONNECTING TO THE WORLD UNDERSTANDING UCA INTERNATIONAL POPULATIONS

CONNECTING TO THE WORLD… UNDERSTANDING UCA INTERNATIONAL POPULATIONS Charlotte Strickland, Office of University Training UCA 2018 -19

“THERE ARE NO UNIVERSALS OF HUMAN NATURE. ”

IT’S (PAST) TIME TO APPRECIATE CULTURAL DIVERSITY https: //www. ted. com/talks/hayley_yeates_it_s_past_time_to_appreciate_cultural_diversity

BENEFITS q Contribute research, teaching, professional skill set q Enrich University global context; global expertise q Bring diversity perspectives/worldviews q Assist in spreading cultural understanding q Mentor diverse students and colleagues q Provide objectivity to U. S. culture

SEMINAR OBJECTIVES • Increase awareness of UCA international populations • Challenge biases regarding those who are different from us • Improve working and academic relationships • Enhance social responsibility as employees and global citizens

CULTURAL COMPETENCY FOUR COMPONENTS v Attitude – cultural biases, own beliefs about cultural differences, tolerant attitudes towards differences v Awareness - one’s own cultural world view, reaction to others different from you v Knowledge – other practices, beliefs, cultural norms and practices and how they affect behavior v Skills – cross-cultural skills to increase competence

GROUP EXPECTATIONS • Respect toward others • YOU determine what you share • Allow yourself to learn, listen to understand • Extend grace…. things may get messy • Relax, have fun

DATA 2017 World Population – 7. 6 Billion 7, 097 languages; 23 account for more than ½ population 2017 U. S. Population – 325. 7 Million At least 350 languages spoken in U. S. homes (2015 ACS) 2016 -17 Total International Students in U. S. – 1, 078, 822 (5. 3% of total) 2016 -17 Total International Scholars in U. S. – 134, 379

Barriers § Complexity § Communication Language/Accent/Volume/Direct vs Indirect/Non-verbal § Names § Work norms § Inclusiveness and acceptance § Isolation/Loneliness/Homesickness/sustaining connections § Finances

‘Culture and You’ Exercise and Discussion v. Which parts of your life would be the same, which different? v. On what did you base your decisions? v. What surprises did you have? What reactions? v. What questions or issues did this exercise raise for you? v. What have you learned from this exercise? v How does the culture one is born into, influence one’s life? To what extent do we expect others to assimilate to our culture?

ACTION STEPS • Be patient…. Slow down in explanations and conversations • Seek opportunities to be around a variety of cultures and cultural identities • Show interest and ask learning questions • Realize the VALUE in casual conversations and pay attention to details • Intentionally attend campus events/programs that highlight other national themes • Invest in a relationship with someone from another nationality

UCA Events/Programs UCA International Week - - November 11 - 17, 2018 International Friendship Outreach (IFO) Conversation Club Conversation Partners Reynolds Performance Hall Celtic Angels (Ireland) December 12 The New Chinese Acrobats (China) October 21 The Tenors (Australia) November 13

Global Citizen Get inspired Get educated Get hungry Go abroad Build global relationships Model global leadership

DR. RIVA BROWN CLASS COMMENTS SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION • WE ARE NOT THE ONLY CULTURE THAT EXISTS!! Americans get such a bad rep for being self-centered when it comes to culture and some of it is because we’re on our high horses! We all need to work on being more inclusive and tolerant of others who are different! • Be mindful! People come from all different backgrounds and have their own unique experiences. Making assumptions or judgments can ruin relationships before they’ve even started. • Allowing yourself to move past what you think should be the "right" way in order to understand appreciate others; being aware of other perspectives.

THE DANGER OF A SINGLE STORY https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=D 9 Ihs 241 zeg&amp=&t=78 s

“A person’s commitment to his religion, politics, values of his family, and his stand on the virtue of his way of life are ingredients in his self-picture – intimately felt and cherished. ” - Carolyn W. Sherif