Overview
Presenter: Haiyan Wang, Assistant Director at China Center
Presenter: Alex Cleberg, Intercultural Trainer at International Student and Scholar Services
Like many other higher education institutions across the U.S., the University of Minnesota has seen a significant increase in the size of our Chinese student population over the last ten years. Approximately half of the international students at the University are from China, and these students bring unique experiences and curiosity to our campus. During this workshop, a panel of Chinese students will share their personal stories about interactions on campus. From their discussion and other interactive exercises, you will learn about the academic choices Chinese students make and how unique aspects of Chinese culture (such as collectivism, face saving, and shame) impact the student experience. Walking away from this workshop, you will be better able to connect with Chinese students and help bring their talents and perspectives to the forefront in the classroom and student life.
This workshop is part of The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) Intercultural Workshop series for UMN staff and faculty. The series combines intercultural competency and skills development workshops and "Culture In-Depth" sessions discussing the unique practices, customs, and values of some of the largest international student populations on our campus. Each session helps UMN staff members gain greater cultural self-awareness, an understanding of the contributions of international students, and communication skills to improve interactions and relationships with international students, staff, and faculty.
To learn more about ISSS's training options to help UMN colleges, departments and staff, go to the ISSS Training for Staff and Departments webpage.
For questions about the Intercultural Workshop Series, please contact Alex Cleberg at [email protected].
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
- Understand the contextual factors influencing the Chinese student experience
- Appreciate the cultural values that Chinese students bring, including collectivism, face saving, and shame
- Develop a set of approaches that will increase your effectiveness with international students
Topics
- Intercultural communication
- Communications styles
- Cultural identity
- International students
- Multilingual speakers
Who should attend
UMN staff and faculty