International Conference on Intercultural Communication - Essay Example

Heading: Reflective Journal Your name: Course name: Professors’ name: Date Introduction Throughout the global experience course, I have experienced a lot of training, learning, and reflection. Through various events and readings that I indulged in, I can confidently say that I have a sufficient knowledge on the issues of career management, intercultural communication and networking. Therefore, this paper consists of my reflective journal entries concerning the aforementioned issues on global experience. 01/08/2011 International conference on intercultural communication In the course of the learning period, I attended a certain event that was organized by local officials about intercultural communication. The event was held in The Centre Ivanhoe. The venue is 15 minutes drive from Melbourne central business district. The event was organized by the both foreign and local officials in charge of intercultural affairs in and outside the country. Some of the local officials are attached to various universities and colleges in Australia, and a few government representatives. Specifically, the major objectives of the event included focusing on the cultural diversity in the country as well as promoting the foreign cultures in Australia. Besides, the event was aimed at addressing some of the factors that hinder intercultural communication in the world (Rasche, Kell & Ki-moon 2010, pp. 24-27). Most important, the event was meant to find ways of promoting intercultural communication not only Australia, but also all the worldwide. In the event, I noticed that many delegates from different parts of the world. The meals served reflected various cultures of the world, especially those that were represented in educational institutions in Australia. Some of the cultures celebrated in the event include Japanese, Chinese, American, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Saudi Arabian, European, Russian, Korean, and African, and Indian cultures. This was reinforced by various cultural art performances that and exhibitions. In addition, speakers were given a chance to speak, and through their speeches, they emphasized on the significance of the intercultural communication in the world. In terms of the factors that affect intercultural communication, I learned that cultural identity, age identity, social class identity, ethnic identity, individual personality, racial identity, and role identity were instrumental. Notably, I realized that these factors determine the success of intercultural communication in the world. In addition, the event was influential in clarifying some of the issues that hinder effective intercultural communication in the world today. For instance, the use of words that build ethnic and stereotypes should be avoided at all costs (Rasche, Kell & Ki-moon 2010, pp. 24-27). Moreover, it is essential that racial identification is avoided under any circumstance, unless it is essential. Further, I learned the importance of using language that has no ethnic or questionable connotations, and maintaining attentiveness in conversations. In addition, I noted that cultures vary in what are a taboo and a joke, and that different symbols and objects have different meaning across cultures. It is also critical to use images that demonstrate the equality of all races and cultures in institutions. However, the conference did not sufficiently address ways of promoting intercultural communication in the world. Some of the suggestions put across include holding festivals and conferences that bring together different cultures in the world (Rasche, Kell & Ki-moon 2010, pp. 24-27). In my opinion, provision of exchange programs in educational institutions is vital in the promotion of cross-cultural communication. Therefore, there is a need to have more activities that enhance intercultural in the world, especially in Australia. 15/09/2011 E-reading on intercultural communication Recently, in my private studies, I came across a piece of literature related to intercultural communication. Since it relates to one of the components of global experience course, I found it worth reading. The literature was addressing the theories of intercultural communication. Throughout my study, I could not help but get appalled by the elaborate theoretical frameworks that have been developed in order to help students understand the concept of intercultural communication. The first thing that I noted was the closeness in the meaning of the cross-cultural communication and intercultural communication concepts. This is brought out by similar factors that both concepts have, such that they are mostly used interchangeably. Besides, in through the study, I learned that these theories are categorized into those that focus on effective outcomes; on adaption or accommodation; on identity management and negotiation; on adjustment and acculturation; and on communication networks. To narrow them down further, it is notable that those focusing on effective outcomes include cultural convergence theory. This means that people tend to converge in an unrestricted society towards a higher cultural uniformity (Hunsinger 2006, pp. 12-18). Nevertheless, a when communication is restricted, a system will experience cultural divergence. Secondly, I noted that communication accommodation theory focuses on linguistic ways to reduce or increase distances of communication. On the other hand, intercultural adaption theory indicates how adaption is used by communicators in situations that call for cultural integration (Hunsinger 2006, pp. 12-18). In addition, in terms of co-cultural theory, interactions among dominant and underrepresented group members are addressed. Moreover, those that address adjustment and acculturation include communication acculturation; deviance, assimilation, and alienation states; and uncertainty or anxiety management theories. Besides, there are those that focus on communication networks and they include intercultural and intercultural networks; accultural and networks; and out-group communication skill and networks. Lastly, through the study, I learned that theories focusing on management and negotiation are cultural identity, identity management, identity negotiation, and double-swing model theories (Hunsinger 2006, pp. 12-18). Therefore, it was interesting to learn that scholars have come up with the aforementioned, and many other models that are beneficial in the understanding of the intercultural communication concept. 03/10/2011 Career management event A moment ago, our school organized a career development event that addressed various career issues both locally and globally. The main aim of the event was to address the issues that help students understand career management worldwide. It was also meant to encourage students to take up jobs in various parts of the world as one way of enjoying global experience. Moreover, through the event, various components of career management were outlined and discussed. In the event, I learned that career management was a wide concept that involved a process that comprise of certain stages. Through the speeches and made in the event, I learned that career management has four stages that include: developing overall objectives and goals; strategy development; developing specific means, such as, rules, policies, activities, and procedures, of implementing the strategy; and evaluation of progress in order to achieve the selected goals or objectives for the modification of the strategy (Hunsinger 2006, pp.23-34). Besides, it was critical to note that the process of career management begins right from objective or goal setting. Notably, this is possible only when one knows career opportunities and is aware of his abilities and talents (Samovar, Porte & McDaniel 2011, pp. 12-20). More so, I significantly realized that the employment of career assessments is crucial in order to achieve an effective management. Most important, I learned that career goals and objectives comprise of short-term, long-term, and intermediate goals (Raddon 2005, pp. 56-59). Lastly, the issue of career planning was widely discussed as a way of strategizing and marketing one’s career. Through the event, I realized the need to develop my career in a foreign country as part of global experience. 10/10/2011 E-reading on career management Lately, I read a book that was related to professional development as regards global experience. As a result, I acquired a great deal of knowledge on the concept of career management. Career management is all about handling, controlling or coping with one’s career (Stumpf 2007, pp. 24-30). Additionally, career management concerns one’s ability to control their life, handle life and work demands, and cope with the changing and dynamic economy that directly influences their work life, and the development of their careers. From my reading, I noted that career planning process entailed self-assessment, career exploration, and strategies involved in job search. In the process of self-awareness, (Raddon, 2005, pp. 45-55) notes that one should consider who they are, what interests them, what they enjoy doing, what they do best, their skills, talents and abilities, work environment, and necessary skills in their career management. Besides, it is crucial for anyone searching for a job to consider the appropriate ways of drafting a cover letter and a resume; networking; filling application forms; and successfully interviewing for a job (Raddon, 2005, pp. 45-55). It is also noteworthy that career planning and management are life-long processes that ought to be handled critically. 17/10/2011 Networking; A business dinner Most recently, in the course of the term, I was invited by a friend to a business dinner that was held in one of the hotels in Melbourne. The event was organized by local and foreign officials, and was intended for professionals and business persons in the city. I took advantage of the opportunity because I needed to do a lot of networking. According to how everything was conducted, I noted that the event was not absolutely formal. Different speeches and performances were presented to the audience, and as a result, I made certain observations and learnt a lot about the corporate world. Firstly, it is clear that people network through such events as many companies and institutions in the city were represented. Through such events, individuals get to meet to business partners, employers, employees and even life partners. Interacting with various individuals in the meeting enabled me to get a variety of ideas and job openings (Wood & Juris 2009, pp. 15-20). In fact, my colleague got a business partner, and a couple of other people got interview appointments there and then. Therefore, I noted that networking is essential for every individual not only in search of a job, but also in search of business partners. 20/10/2011 Sports day In the course of my research on the components of global experience, I attended a sport’s day in my younger sister’s school in Melbourne. Here, I got to meet many people from different backgrounds and professions. The event was also beneficial in that it enabled me meet new friends through my sister. Among the acquaintances I made that day, a majority were working in the city, while some were students in different parts of the country. From the event, I learned that networking was not limited to formal meetings, conferences or conventions. Imperatively, networking includes such events as clean-up, sports day, religious ceremonies, and even conversing with neighbors and college mates. What is more, it is vital to know that networking is possible online, especially through social sites, such as, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. This is because one gets to meet new friends, and reconnect with the old ones (Wood & Juris 2009, pp 15-20). Besides, through interacting with people from different parts of the world, one enjoys a global experience. Nevertheless, whether online or offline, individuals should observe etiquette in order to be successful. Therefore, it is noteworthy that job seekers and business people engage in extensive online and offline activities and events, which promote their networks in order to achieve their set objectives. References Hunsinger, RP 2006, ‘Culture and Cultural Identity in Intercultural Technical Communication’, Technical Communication Quarterly, vol. 15, no.3, pp. 12-18. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5037689630 Raddon, R 2005, Your career, your life: career management for the information professional, Ashgate, Aldershot, Hants, England Burlington, VT. Pp. 45-55 Rasche, A, Kell, G & Ki-moon, B 2010, The United Nations Global Compact: achievements, trends and challenges, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge New York. Pp. 24-27. Samovar, LA, Porte, RE & McDaniel, ER 2011, Intercultural communication: a reader. Wadsworth Cengage Learning, Boston, Mass. Pp. 12-20. Stumpf, SA 2007, ‘Development of the Relationship Management Survey: a Tool for Assessing Performance and Career Success of Professional Service Professionals’, Journal of Organizational Culture, Communication and Conflict, vol. 11, no.4, and pp.24-26. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5045019594 Wood, LJ & Juris, JS 2009, ‘Networking Futures: The Movement against Corporate Globalization’, Canadian Journal of Sociology, vol. 34, no.6, pp. 15-20. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5032124949 Read More