Developing Intercultural Competence

THIS COURSE IS FULL

Intercultural encounters have increased rapidly along with globalisation. It is no longer just a limited group of people - sojourners, expatriates and those traveling outside their native countries – who must face the challenges of intercultural encounters, as an increasing number of us encounter “difference” or “foreignness” in our work places and immediate living environments. However, despite the increase in everyday intercultural experiences, they often fail to increase our understanding of “other” ways of acting and being. This poses a great challenge to enhancing individuals’ performance in multicultural settings and raises the question: How can we learn to be interculturally competent?

Intercultural competence - or competence in general - is often divided into three main categories: knowledge, skills and attitude, all of which will be examined in the course. Together we will construct a solid theoretical basis of what it means to be interculturally competent. Conscious reflection on our own practices and behaviour is the starting point of this learning process. Experiences in “foreign” cultures, particularly the participants’ Finnish experience during the course, will be shared and several alternative methods of observing, interpreting and acting will be practiced and developed. For example, several exercises will allow participants to try out different roles and strategies in a safe environment, thus allowing them to widen their comfort zone. All the senses will be used as we analyze, debate, feel and touch. The aim is for participants to experience a common learning process in which shared language and shared meanings are created within our intercultural and interdisciplinary group.

Get ready for an inspiring journey!

This course is designed to provide a multicultural and multidisciplinary group of Finnish and international students from various academic backgrounds with tools for understanding intercultural relationships. The course will consist of lectures, discussions, workshops, exercises, group projects, reading, and both individual and small-group tasks.

Why attend this course?

• To improve your own intercultural competence and sensitivity
• To develop your interaction skills in a multicultural environment
• To learn how to combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills
• To be able to study in an intercultural, multilingual and interdisciplinary group

Course lecturer Eila Isotalus, MA, is an intercultural competence and communication trainer. She has worked in the Master’s Degree Programme in Intercultural Encounters at the University of Helsinki 2001-2005 and currently trains Finnish companies and organisations in the development of the intercultural competence of their personnel in order to improve their operations. In addition, she is examining issues of intercultural competence in her PhD thesis.

Please direct any questions concerning the content of this course to the course coordinator. Any questions concerning the general arrangements (accommodation, scholarship, etc.) should be addressed to the Summer School's office at summer-school@helsinki.fi