Overview

The Real World Solutions tool kit teaches more than "what" to do (or not do) in cultural situations; it provides the "why" behind cultural behavior so one can respond appropriately in any situation.  The training will help students learn to build bridges among cultures in order to enhance personal and professional productivity and improve outcomes. Students will be able to address cultural challenges with real world solutions and "live and work better together."

 

Part 1: Impact of Culture on Behavior

This part of the session provides an awareness of the importance and impact of culture on behavior, and tips on how to manage the complexity of cultural behavior. Students will gain an enhanced understanding of their own cultural identities and build a foundation for understanding how to interact effectively with other cultures.

 

Part II: Key Intercultural Communication Skills: Self-Assessment (Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory - CCAI)

The CCAI is a practical self-assessment of key intercultural skills that allows individual reflection on the key components of effective interaction with and in other cultures. Students will understand the importance of the skills, take the assessment and interpret their scores, and develop a personal action plan for improvement in key skill areas. Students will also become aware of individual preferences and how they impact cultural awareness and competence.

 

Part III: Enhancement of Cultural Knowledge

This part of the session provides information on key cultural value orientations as a framework for understanding difference among cultures. Students will become more knowledgeable about values and behavioral differences between/among cultural identities and gain practice in effectively communicating and bridging cultural differences.

 

Part IV: Summary and Application

WEDNESDAY SESSION B

First Gen Professional and Life Skills:

Making Impressions, Personal Branding, Telling Your Story

Adrian Rosado, The Zion Group

Rocío Pérez, Inventiva Consulting

 and Erin McClarty, Erin McClarty PLLC

 

Three powerful First Gen role models profiled on our May 23 HuffPost blog will arm students with critical techniques for personal and professional development.

 

Adrian Rosado:  You Rarely Get a Second Chance to Make a First Impression

Adrian's part of the session will focus on the qualities needed to become a successful networker. Students will identify strategies for communicating with purpose and keying in on opportunities for synergy between individuals. Participants will practice approaching multiple individuals and identifying positive characteristics that not only reflect themselves, but also the people they are interacting with. As the exercise is in process, participants will also be asked to communicate specific adjectives that describe their networking experience and the leadership traits of the people with whom they are speaking.

Throughout this part of the session, students will develop skills for effective networking by understanding how to be active and engaged in a conversation; utilizing their unique abilities as communicators and strengthening them through practice and implementation; recognizing how to approach people who can be beneficial to career and personal growth, bypassing 'surface' conversation; and strengthening the use of positive adjectives that stimulate a receptive conversation.

 

Rocio Perez:  The Power of Communication and Personal Branding  

The Power of Communication and Personal Branding goes beyond words. In most cases, it is the unseen that makes the difference in successful communication. Participants will gain essential knowledge about exuding an executive presence, the importance of appearance, connecting more effectively with others, and making a first and lasting impression that inspires others energetically. Students will also understand the correlation between personal energy and career success, experience the unspoken assets of body language, and learn how to create a stronger personal brand that leads them to even greater success.

 

Erin McClarty:  Tapping In to Your Superpowers  

First Gen Students have superpowers all their own. The key to leveraging those powers is learning how to frame and communicate them.