Intercultural Communication

Introduction
 Today’s Presenters
 Rita Cooper, University of North Texas
 Shelby L. Cearley, Texas Tech University
 Overview of Presentation

What Is Culture?
 Culture is the values, behaviors,
practices, assumptions we've learned
from our membership in groups that
share them.
 It is taught, learned and shared.
 Intercultural interaction occurs when
people from different cultures interact
with each other to the extent that both
are expected to make accommodations
to build relationships.

Iceberg Model of Culture
 When we interact with someone from
another culture, we only hear their
words and see their behavior.
 It’s like seeing the tip of an iceberg; so
much more is below the surface.
 Someone’s cultural values and attitudes
affect what s/he says and does.

Iceberg Model of Culture
 You must look
below the surface
if you want to
communicate more
effectively with
people from other
cultures.

Eye Contact
 US-Americans depend
on direct eye contact.
 Why???
• It is perceived as active listening,
sincerity, and honesty.

Rude Behavior
 Without a connection, they may feel
"out of contact" with the other person.

Uncomfortable and Aggressive
• In some Arab and South Asian cultures,
the gaze may seem too direct.
• US-Americans see
a prolonged stare
as a sign of aggression.

Personal Space . . .
 We are all territorial.
 Group norms exist for
all cultures.
 We acquire our
“specific” space in
early childhood.

Get Info Before Going Abroad!
 In the Middle
East, standing
less than 1 foot
next to someone
is acceptable.
 In Europe & North
America, 2.5 – 3
feet is acceptable.
 In Asia, 4 – 5 feet
is acceptable due
to bowing.

Intercultural Exchanges
on Campus
 There’s more than just International
Education Week!
 Become more visible on campus as an
organization
 Make international events more visible on
campus
 Make international students more visible
on campus

Become More Visible on Campus
 Create an identifier (not a name tag)
 Attend campus events
 Join staff organizations
 Invite people to visit your office and
vice-versa

Become More Visible on Campus
 Have an int’l office representative on
standing committees
 Incorporate int’l events and campus
events calendars
 Have an int’l office representative at
campus events

Make Int’l Events More Visible
 Create intercultural training for
increased access to campus
 Have regular events co-sponsored by
int’l and departmental offices
 Give upcoming event flyers to related
classes, academic units, and
administrative departments

Make Int’l Events More Visible
 Create advertising and display in
popular areas
 Cultivate academic contacts with those
faculty with int’l/cross-cultural interests
 Create mailing list of those who
attended previous events

Make Int’l Students Visible
 Take group of int’l students to campus-
sponsored events
 Showcase an int’l group/organization each
month
 Create monthly newsletter of int’l students
 Make int’l student groups part of your
recruiting efforts
 Use int’l student groups to advertise events