International Week: Preparing Students for an Intercultural Environment

The Romanian-American University is proposing a summer program in the field of Intercultural Communication: Preparing Students for an Intercultural Environment

The program is 5 days long and consists of 20 hours of teaching activities/workshops, meetings with RAU staff and a cultural visit outside Bucharest, to cross linguistic and geographical borders.

RAU provides instructors, accommodation, ground transportation to and from the airport and in and around Bucharest; a day trip to: Sinaia-Peles Castle / Bran-Dracula’s Castle, the Medieval City of Brașov, plus meals, lodging, and classroom facilities.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

In this age of audience fragmentation, global presence, data overload, niche marketing, downsizing, reorganizing and accountability, effective oral and written communication skills are in demand.
Without effective communication even everyday tasks are difficult, if not impossible. The average person takes messages at face value without evaluating the true meaning and intent of the communication.
But good communication cannot be achieved without an understanding of cultural backgrounds, cultural differences and similarities, and apart from mastering the subcultures present all over the world. That is why the course offers a very practical and interactive approach, with participants having activities aimed to test and better understand what they learned.

Course Outline – Aims

• Starting from a definition of culture and subcultures, the course is aimed at enabling social participation of individuals in intercultural communities;
• Working with different cultural models (Edward Hall’s Model of Cultural Differences, Kluckhohn’s Model of Basic Assumptions, Geert Hofstede’s 6 Dimensions of Culture;
• Fostering dialogue between upbringing and educational entities of different ethnic, gender, social, cultural, religious and linguistic backgrounds;
• Culture shock of studying abroad – working with the stages and developing strategies for building a network in the new country;
• Providing trainees with an in-depth understanding of the various forms of communication;
• Outlining, exploring and exemplifying its uses and specifics in the business environment;
• Developing trainees’ verbal and non-verbal communication skills;
• Providing trainees with frameworks for writing standardized documents, managing conflicts and preparing presentations;
• Enriching trainees’ professional vocabulary and consolidating its use in appropriate situations.

Course Outline – Methodology

• Presentation and exploration of theoretical concepts;
• Cases and exercises emphasizing informative communication and strategies for collaboration;
• Multicultural, cross-cultural and intercultural games and activities;
• Workshops – traditional handcrafted “Mărțișoare”;
• Overview of methods for:
  – organizing ideas,
  – analyzing data,
  – formatting information,
  – understanding audience needs,
  – developing a professional communication style.

Course Outline – Topics

1. What is culture? Visible and invisible; cultural programming, intercultural communication, assignments
2. Working with Hall’s Model of Cultural Differences – High vs. Low Context Cultures, Monochromic vs. Polychromic Cultures, Personal Space, etc
3. Kluckhohn’s Model of Basic Assumptions and Hofstede’s 6 Dimensions of Culture
4. Culture Shock of Studying Abroad
5. Communication – introduction & overview (definitions, short history, components, learning types, effectiveness)
6. Types of communication (barriers, distinctive traits of non-verbal vs. verbal communication, patterns, architecture of communication)
7. Verbal communication (stress on audience-orientation; guidelines for written and oral communication, style & language)
8. Oral communication: conflict management, business presentations & related graphics
9. Written Communication: queries, complaints, settlements
10. Global principles of intercultural education

Trainers:

• Assoc. professor ELENA MUSEANU, PhD., Hed of Foreign Language Department
• Lecturer ANA MIHAELA ISTRATE, PhD.

ABOUT ROMANIAN-AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

Established in 1991, the Romanian-American University is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning and research, providing exciting opportunities for students, teachers and researchers to follow their intellectual curiosity. Romanian-American University was founded with a view to promote the American educational values (efficient organization, sense of duty, work-ethic, self-respect and respect for others) combined with the solid and rich academic traditions of the Romanian educational system.
RAU has become an outstanding player in the European Union’s educational landscape, as a result of its strategic focus on internationalization. With a strategic vision of becoming a truly international University with a global focus in education, research and services to community, RAU is engaged in establishing partnerships with international dimensions, creating an international atmosphere through international academic events and cultural exchanges, as well as actively promoting Romania as a study destination.
RAU academic offer currently includes fully English-taught Bachelor programs (2) and Master programs (6) in the fields of Computer Science, International Business, Finance, Strategic Marketing, and Aviation Management, as well as a Foundation Year.
RAU campus is located in a vibrant area in the north of Bucharest, only 15 minutes away from the city center. Its campus offers a heaven of security and tranquility within one of the busiest cities in Eastern Europe.

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES:

1. Meetings & discussion with practitioners in the field
2. THEMATIC TRIP: Visit to Sinaia / Bran & Brasov; The Romanian Heritage: History, Culture, Traditions and Nature
3. Welcome dinner

ACCOMMODATION, MEALS, ACTIVITIES and TRANSPORT

Our proposal for accommodation is the Romanian-American University campus, protocol rooms.
Costs for accommodation, meals (breakfast, lunch & 1 gala dinner), activities, and trip: TBD.
The costs of the training program are fully covered by the Romanian-American University.

CONTACT DETAILS:

• Erasmus+ Office: Lavinia Stănică, Program coordinator
• Elena Museanu, Academic coordinator

VENUE:

Romanian-American University, 1B EXPOZITIEI Blvd., Sector 1, code 012101, Bucharest,
Romania, Tel.: 0040 372 120121