Intercultural Communication
Rita Cooper and Shelby L. Cearley
Assoc. of Metroplex Int’l Educators, 9 July 2007
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 campussponsored 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
Want More Info?

Please visit our website at
http://www.angelfire.com/empire/sdeb
ate/intercultural.html.
This PowerPoint presentation
 Links to information about intercultural
communication/competence
 Our email addresses


Thank you for your attendance!