1. Crossing borders: bridging the gaps in intercultural relationships
Autumn Jackson, M.A.
Esteban Touma, M.A.

2. Our Intercultural Relationship

3. Intercultural Relationships
Communication and interaction between two people with different religious, social, ethnic, and/or educational experiences
RELATIONSHIP
Love
Work
Business
Studies
COMMUNICATION
Verbal
Non-verbal
Gestures
Body Language
Expressions

4. Intercultural Relationships
Difficulties in meeting halfway
Preconceptions
Environment
Language
Different Values
Time
Informality
Directness/Honesty

5. Preconception Cultural conceptions = Individuals
What we learned: Intercultural relationships can only develop if people are encouraged to think of the other person as individuals, and to try to put preconceived notions aside.

6. Environment determines behavior
Rules and norms are determined by environment. Not being in your own environment might be confusing.

7. 60% of all communication is non-verbal
Environment
60% of all communication is non-verbal
How does your behavior change in different circumstances?
Wedding
Hospital
Day at the beach
What we learned: Empathy. Try to visualize your own environment through the eyes of a stranger.

8. Similar words have different connotations
Language
Mañana
Tomorrow
Besok
Similar words have different connotations
The meaning of a word depends on the culture.
What is being said?
What we learned: Language communication needs to be done through pauses and reflection. Active listening.

9. Values are determined by society
Different values
Values are determined by society
Time: Culture of efficiency vs. relaxed society
Formality/Informality: Sociable relationship vs. formal behavior
Directness: Politeness vs. honesty
What we learned: Not judging a person by how he reacts to our rules. Respecting values. Understanding other people’s behavior.

10. Conclusions
There will always be moments when you need to deal with an intercultural relationship
Be aware of other people’s culture values.
Aspects to consider
Respect
Awareness
Knowledge

11. Thank you!
Sources:
 Pease, Adam. The Definitive Book of Body Language. New York: Bantam Books, 2009.
Samovar, Larry, Richard E. Porter, Edwin R. McDaniel. Communication between Cultures. Boston: Cengage,
Gudykunst, William and Young Yun Kim, "Communicating With Strangers: An Approach to Intercultural Communication," in Bridges Not Walls, ed. John Stewart. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1995.