By Masha Pupko, Programs and Services Intern
If there is one thing that unites people, it is that we are all consumers of information. First we learn from our caregivers, then our educators, our peers, mass culture and our own experiences. Much of what we learn, think and do is done at an unconscious level. In order to process the vast amount of information that we consume on daily basis, we organize specific examples into broad categories. Once we do the sorting, the meanings associated with that category are activated and influence our interactions with individuals. Consequentially, all of us, including you and me, hold implicit biases - automatic attitudes or stereotypes about people based upon their belonging to a particular category.
A Midwestern Girl’s Tasty Bite of the Big Apple
By Sarah Gibbons, International Citizen of the Year (ICY) Intern
Growing up in a small suburb of Cincinnati, my upbringing was stereotypically Midwestern... It was a place where we knew everyone. I had known the classmates in my graduating class since I was in kindergarten and my friends lived within walking distance from home. Throughout my 18 years of living there, not much changed in my quaint suburban hometown. It was not until I went to college that I realized, although I had an amazing upbringing in Wyoming, OH, there was not much diversity there.
Growing up in a small suburb of Cincinnati, my upbringing was stereotypically Midwestern... It was a place where we knew everyone. I had known the classmates in my graduating class since I was in kindergarten and my friends lived within walking distance from home. Throughout my 18 years of living there, not much changed in my quaint suburban hometown. It was not until I went to college that I realized, although I had an amazing upbringing in Wyoming, OH, there was not much diversity there.
Moving Abroad - Tips That Made My Adventure Easier
By Cullen Bickle, Marketing and Communications Intern
It is crazy to think how things can change in a matter of seconds. I still remember the moment I came home from school in the fall of 2010 and my dad saying “Hey Cullen, how would you feel if we moved to Spain?” At first I didn’t believe him, but after a few minutes I realized that he wasn’t joking and that my life was about to change forever. The only thing I knew before embarking on my adventure several quick months later, was that it was going to be a tough adjustment. I didn't know anyone that could give me advice on how to make it all easier and as a result, I went in completely blind. After several months in Spain I realized that I had developed important life skills such as adapting to change. When I moved to Hong Kong four years later I was able to put these new found skills to the test and to my expectation they worked very well.
It is crazy to think how things can change in a matter of seconds. I still remember the moment I came home from school in the fall of 2010 and my dad saying “Hey Cullen, how would you feel if we moved to Spain?” At first I didn’t believe him, but after a few minutes I realized that he wasn’t joking and that my life was about to change forever. The only thing I knew before embarking on my adventure several quick months later, was that it was going to be a tough adjustment. I didn't know anyone that could give me advice on how to make it all easier and as a result, I went in completely blind. After several months in Spain I realized that I had developed important life skills such as adapting to change. When I moved to Hong Kong four years later I was able to put these new found skills to the test and to my expectation they worked very well.
Crossroads Between Worlds
By Loren Rogers, Global Competency Intern
I love my position as the Global Competency intern at The International Center. I am very grateful to be guided by my supervisor, Ansuyah Naiken. She has given me resouces and information that I will carry with me throughout my career. Everyone at The International Center is wonderful and wants to do nothing but help you with your career and see you succeed.
I love my position as the Global Competency intern at The International Center. I am very grateful to be guided by my supervisor, Ansuyah Naiken. She has given me resouces and information that I will carry with me throughout my career. Everyone at The International Center is wonderful and wants to do nothing but help you with your career and see you succeed.
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On Gaining Deeper Understanding of Multicultural Environments
A Global Competency Training Experience
By Kader Sahin, Operations Intern
One of my best experiences with The International Center thus far has been the opportunity to attend, explore and share my own experiences at the Global Competency Trainings. Two weeks apart, we went for trainings to Interactive Intelligence, one of the global providers of contact centers, unified communications, and business process automation software and services designed to improve the customer experience in the Indianapolis area. Interactive Intelligence has locations in many countries such as United States, Canada, The Netherlands, France, Sweden, Germany, England, Poland, Middle East & Turkey, Spain, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, Australia & New Zealand, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
By Kader Sahin, Operations Intern
One of my best experiences with The International Center thus far has been the opportunity to attend, explore and share my own experiences at the Global Competency Trainings. Two weeks apart, we went for trainings to Interactive Intelligence, one of the global providers of contact centers, unified communications, and business process automation software and services designed to improve the customer experience in the Indianapolis area. Interactive Intelligence has locations in many countries such as United States, Canada, The Netherlands, France, Sweden, Germany, England, Poland, Middle East & Turkey, Spain, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, Australia & New Zealand, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Office of Global Competency at The International Center
By Corinne O’Brien, Global Competency Intern
I work in the Office of Global Competency Training at The International Center. This office appealed to me during the interview process because I thought that I would be able to meet a lot of interesting and inspiring people. As it turns out, these kinds of people engage with The International Center on a daily basis in all of its offices. The office is always bustling with activity and visitors, from volunteers to foreign dignitaries to board members and corporate clients. I have found that the Training Office is particularly well-suited to my interests as a business major.
I work in the Office of Global Competency Training at The International Center. This office appealed to me during the interview process because I thought that I would be able to meet a lot of interesting and inspiring people. As it turns out, these kinds of people engage with The International Center on a daily basis in all of its offices. The office is always bustling with activity and visitors, from volunteers to foreign dignitaries to board members and corporate clients. I have found that the Training Office is particularly well-suited to my interests as a business major.
The World Is Coming To Indiana
by Chris Wallace, Global Competency Intern
Throughout the month of October I had opportunities to experience the depth and diversity of immigrant communities in the City of Indianapolis. These experiences came through a global training by The International Center at the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Libraries. Although a native of Indiana, I did not grow up in Indianapolis and thus, being exposed to the breadth of diversity in our state and its capital city was a new experience.
Throughout the month of October I had opportunities to experience the depth and diversity of immigrant communities in the City of Indianapolis. These experiences came through a global training by The International Center at the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Libraries. Although a native of Indiana, I did not grow up in Indianapolis and thus, being exposed to the breadth of diversity in our state and its capital city was a new experience.
Cultural Training at Interactive Intelligence
By Emily Garman, Global Competency Intern
This past Monday I got to start my day off with a cross cultural training teaching new hires of Interactive Intelligence about the United States. My supervisor, Ansuyah, goes to businesses frequently to teach the employees or employers about different cultures. I love going with my supervisor to these cross cultural trainings because I get to see the type of work that she does, people’s reactions to her presentation, and their surprise about the knowledge she provides.
This past Monday I got to start my day off with a cross cultural training teaching new hires of Interactive Intelligence about the United States. My supervisor, Ansuyah, goes to businesses frequently to teach the employees or employers about different cultures. I love going with my supervisor to these cross cultural trainings because I get to see the type of work that she does, people’s reactions to her presentation, and their surprise about the knowledge she provides.
At the training there were people from Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Holland, and they were all in their mid to late twenties. It was amazing to see people from all over the world at such a young age come together for a company in Indianapolis. The presentation was informal, less of a lecture, and more of an interactive experience. There was a lot of discussion as the new hires shared stories of their interactions with cultural misunderstanding. One notable story was told by someone who went to McDonalds, where one of the workers there asked about his accent and where he was from. He told her that he was from Amsterdam and she replied by saying, “Oh the place with the legal recreational drugs!” He said he was not offended by her comment, but emphasized that Amsterdam had much more to offer.
Something else I enjoyed was hearing about how another participant found interesting the large amount of pride Americans have in their country. He said that in Holland, the Holland flag is not flown, but rather flags from different countries where the citizens are from. The other individuals confirmed this, and someone even mentioned that his country, the UK, also prefers to fly other flags than the national flag.
Overall the training was a great learning experience and allowed to me to interact with people from other cultures. I also had the opportunity to try to understand the way they think about their own cultures and about others’, especially America’s.
A Myriad of Opportunities for Celebration and Communication
By: Caitlin Selby, Global Competency Intern
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, was the globally celebrated holiday, Mardi Gras; which in French means Fat Tuesday. On this day, individuals indulge in feasts and parties before a six-week period of fasting, called Lent. Thursday of this week was none other than the international holiday of love—Valentine’s Day. In many countries around the world it is celebrated much the same as here in the United States, with a big emphasis on gifts of candy, cards, and flowers to friends and significant others.
The International Center has been preparing our flag collection for IUPUI’s 9th annual International Festival which will be held on February 21st. The flags are beautifully displayed in the IUPUI Campus Center. This festival is a great way to learn a bit about our international community here in Indianapolis. At the festival, a series of fascinating lectures will be going on throughout the day. There will also be an array of delicious foods from several different countries. If you have traditional clothing from your home country, a country you have traveled, or somewhere you would like to go, be sure to wear it and enter the Best Dressed Contest!
This Wednesday at The International Center, I was able to help prepare for, and attend a workshop on Cross Cultural Communications with China. It was fascinating to have so many different individuals from an assortment of career backgrounds who attended and brought their own experiences and insightful questions for consideration in this shared learning experience.
One of the remarkable things that I am privileged to be learning here at The International Center, is that no matter who you are, or what your career, when communicating with a culture different from our own, we must maintain our human aspect of the communication. By human aspect of communication, I simply mean the sincere and utter respect, patience, and curiosity for every culture. In doing this, we can realize that there is not only one right way to do things in this world—but many! It is up to us to begin first by trying to understand and learn from our differences so we may appreciate the beauty and effectiveness of friendly and courteous international communication.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, was the globally celebrated holiday, Mardi Gras; which in French means Fat Tuesday. On this day, individuals indulge in feasts and parties before a six-week period of fasting, called Lent. Thursday of this week was none other than the international holiday of love—Valentine’s Day. In many countries around the world it is celebrated much the same as here in the United States, with a big emphasis on gifts of candy, cards, and flowers to friends and significant others.
The International Center has been preparing our flag collection for IUPUI’s 9th annual International Festival which will be held on February 21st. The flags are beautifully displayed in the IUPUI Campus Center. This festival is a great way to learn a bit about our international community here in Indianapolis. At the festival, a series of fascinating lectures will be going on throughout the day. There will also be an array of delicious foods from several different countries. If you have traditional clothing from your home country, a country you have traveled, or somewhere you would like to go, be sure to wear it and enter the Best Dressed Contest!
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| IUPUI Campus Center |
This Wednesday at The International Center, I was able to help prepare for, and attend a workshop on Cross Cultural Communications with China. It was fascinating to have so many different individuals from an assortment of career backgrounds who attended and brought their own experiences and insightful questions for consideration in this shared learning experience.
One of the remarkable things that I am privileged to be learning here at The International Center, is that no matter who you are, or what your career, when communicating with a culture different from our own, we must maintain our human aspect of the communication. By human aspect of communication, I simply mean the sincere and utter respect, patience, and curiosity for every culture. In doing this, we can realize that there is not only one right way to do things in this world—but many! It is up to us to begin first by trying to understand and learn from our differences so we may appreciate the beauty and effectiveness of friendly and courteous international communication.
What have you done lately?
By: Titilope Adebambo Adeniyi-Oshin, Global Competency Training Intern
Too often, I hear questions like “What can I do differently?” “How can I help the less privileged?” “How can I make a difference in this world?” “What is there for me to do?” To be honest and without bias, we all feel the same way. We do not know where to start, nor how to begin. How exactly can we make a difference without pushing the envelope? More or less, how do we become the Santa Claus to those who need it?
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
By Marie Parent, Global Competency Training Intern
Today marks the one-month anniversary of my time at the International Center, and looking back at that not-so-long past, I’m truly happy to have an internship with so much to do, so many connections around Indy and the world, and such a great office environment.
Last week I had the gut-wrenching opportunity to lead a 40-minute segment of culture training for 28 United Way employees – which, thanks to calming words and public speaking advice from my boss Ansuyah and fellow intern Ellie, really went quite swimmingly.
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Volunteering at Sign-In
On Saturday, I headed out to the Asian Festival with Sunny, a friend and intern at AAR at the airport. We sampled scrumptious Asian dishes, learned about various Asian cultures, and visited the Asian Learning Center of Indiana’s/The International Center’s booth to see Director of ALCI Weilin and Protocol Officer Peter. Peter introduced me to the President of the Hyderabad Sister City of Indianapolis Committee, Raju Chinthala, who invited Sunny and me to volunteer at Desi Happy Hour, put on by the Hyderabad Sister City Committee.
So yesterday I found myself eating more delicious food at Delhi Palace and chatting with many different people from or interested in India, some of whom I knew previously through emails but had never seen, most of whom I had just met. I hope to have this eye-opening and fun experience again at the next Desi Happy Hour!
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| The Desi Happy Hour Group |
Sadly (for me), Ansuyah will abandon me for a month-long vacation and family visit to South Africa starting Tuesday. I am sorry that Ansuyah has to leave, just as we are getting to know each other better! On the bright side, I am excited to take responsibility for the Festival Fund (handling all emails to applicants and Festival Fund Committee members, conference calls, check requests, and application reviews), to make more connections with internationally-interested people around Indy, and to jump in on more projects at the office!