The World of Intercultural Communication

In France, for instance, it is normal to speak to another person while six inches from their face. Do the same thing in America and your conversation partner might feel uneasy. Hugging complete strangers is also common in other cultures, but usually taboo in America.

The list of potential difficulties associated with intercultural communication is seemingly endless. Hand gestures can be unintentionally offensive to someone from another country. Foreign students are often amazed to hear students informally address professors by their first name.

The Washington State University Office of International Students and Scholars offers an array of services and programs, including workshops conducted by their counselors, to help students, scholars and faculty at WSU handle intercultural problems and communicate more effec tively.

The OISS is currently providing a leadership workshop series called “Building Relations through Intercultural Communication.” The workshop has been used to train WSU faculty and staff, as well as educate the public on intercultural communication. Participants partake in communication exercises, share stories and learn about the nature of culture. The workshops are led by Mary Furnari, director of OISS, and Jodi Simek, International Center coordinator.

For more information on the OISS, call Ellen Gorsevski or Furnari at (509) 335-4508 or visit http://www.ip.wsu.edu/oiss.