Unit 1

UNIT 1

As you prepare to leave for your posting, the most immediate things on your mind will be the practical details: visas, money, immunizations, transportation, housing, luggage, etc.

Most interns expect that adaptation, communication strategies, and the exchange of knowledge and skills across cultures are issues that will sort themselves out in time. Most returning interns report that they were surprised at how much thought, energy, and courage they had to invest in these processes. It's helpful to keep this in mind as you make your way through the workshop.

Why do an international internship?

For fun
To test yourself
To build your skills
To learn in another country
To experience living in another country

What about you? Take a few minutes to think about your motives for doing an international internship. Record your reflections in a journal that you can add to as you go through this workshop.

adapting to local customs

respecting other cultures

establishing good personal relations with diverse customers

speaking languages other than English

recognizing and meeting customer needs

using patience and persistence

keeping a long-term vision

listening

adapting to new situations in short periods of time

negotiating

* Intercultural-International Business Effectiveness Project - UBC Centre for Intercultural Communication, 1999.

Canadian employers look for these strategies and skills when they are hiring new employees. After your internship, you will be able to add most of these to your resume!

Exercise: Test your knowledge before you go.

How Much Do You Know About Canada?

As a Canadian intern, you will be expected to be an expert on Canada. On your internship you'll be asked questions about your country, province, and city. Facts, figures, and pictures will help you to be a Canadian resource person. Before proceeding to the exercise on your host country - test your knowledge of Canada.

Eighteen Questions

Ready. Set. Go.

Aspect of Society

Useful Questions

How Much Do You Know?

Geography

Borders?
Area?
Population?
Topography?
Bodies of water?

History

Heroes?
Important events/dates?

Political Structure

Type of government?
Hot issues?
Political parties?
Party in power?

Economics

Currency?
GNP?
GDP?
Meal costs?

Sports

National sport?

Climate

Seasons?
Typical weather?

Religion

Dominant religions?
State/official religion?
Holy texts?
Outlawed religions?

Legal System

Style of legal system?
Relations with Canadians?

Education System

School funding?
School segregation?
Quality of schools?

Status/Class Structures

Visible class distinctions?
Percentages of distribution?
Position of foreigners?

Hot Issues

Current events (politics/economics)?

Languages

Languages spoken?
Language of street signs?
Locals understand English/French?

Personal Safety

Any parts of city unsafe?
Are parts of country unsafe?
Where to go for help?

Transportation

Typical transportation?
License needed to drive?

Male/Female Relationships

Unmarried couples be romantic?
Male female friendships?
Premarital sex?
Gender roles?

Family

Typical family size?
Family roles?
Marriage customs?

Food

Typical food ?
Utensils used?
Taboo foods?

Social Etiquette

Typical greetings?
Typical thank yous?

How Much Do You Know About Your Host Country?
Eighteen Questions

Ready. Set. Go.

Aspect of Society

Useful Questions

How Much Do You Know?

Geography

Borders?
Area?
Population?
Topography?
Bodies of water?

Helpful links: about.com --- www.worldatlas.com

History

Heroes?
Important events/dates?

Political Structure

Type of government?
Hot issues?
Political parties?
Party in power?

Economics

Currency?
GNP?
GDP?
Meal costs?

Sports

National sport?

Climate

Seasons?
Typical weather?

Religion

Dominant religions?
State/official religion?
Holy texts?
Outlawed religions?

Helpful lins: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/1699/

Legal System

Style of legal system?
Relations with Canadians?

Helpful lins: www.uottawa.ca

Education System

School funding?
School segregation?
Quality of schools?

Helpful link: Worldwideclassroom

Status/Class Structures

Visible class distinctions?
Percentages of distribution?
Position of foreigners?

Hot Issues

Current events (politics/economics)?

Languages

Languages spoken?
Language of street signs?
Locals understand English/French?

Personal Safety

Any parts of city unsafe?
Are parts of country unsafe?
Where to go for help?

Transportation

Typical transportation?
License needed to drive?

Male/Female Relationships

Unmarried couples be romantic?
Male female friendships?
Premarital sex?
Gender roles?

Family

Typical family size?
Family roles?
Marriage customs?

Food

Typical food ?
Utensils used?
Taboo foods?

Helpful link: http://emuseum.mnsu.edu/cultural/foods/index.shtml

Social Etiquette

Typical greetings?
Typical thank yous?

Housing

Types available? (apartment, house)
Typical family living arrangements?
Costs?

Goods/Shopping

Where do people shop? (malls,markets)
What goods are un/available?

So... You've had a chance to think about why you want to do an international internship, what skills you hope to develop during your placement, and how much you already know about where you're coming from and where you're going!

Now it's time to focus on some of the more practical pre-departure questions: What do you need to bring with you, and who should you talk to before you go?

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