Rita Cooper and Shelby L. Cearley presented on intercultural communication. They discussed that culture includes values, behaviors and practices shared by groups. When people from different cultures interact, both must make accommodations to build relationships. They presented the iceberg model of culture, noting that much of culture exists below surface behaviors. Eye contact and personal space have different meanings across cultures. The presentation suggested universities make international students and events more visible on campus to promote intercultural understanding.

1. Intercultural Communication
Rita Cooper and Shelby L. Cearley
Assoc. of Metroplex Int’l Educators, 9 July 2007

2. Introduction
 Today’s Presenters
 Rita Cooper, University of North Texas
 Shelby L. Cearley, Texas Tech University
 Overview of Presentation

3. What Is Culture?
 Culture is the values, behaviors,
practices, assumptions we've learned
from our membership in groups that
share them.
 It is taught, learned and shared.
 Intercultural interaction occurs when
people from different cultures interact
with each other to the extent that both
are expected to make accommodations
to build relationships.

4. Iceberg Model of Culture
 When we interact with someone from
another culture, we only hear their
words and see their behavior.
 It’s like seeing the tip of an iceberg; so
much more is below the surface.
 Someone’s cultural values and attitudes
affect what s/he says and does.

5. Iceberg Model of Culture
 You must look
below the surface
if you want to
communicate more
effectively with
people from other
cultures.

6. Eye Contact
 US-Americans depend
on direct eye contact.
 Why???
• It is perceived as active listening,
sincerity, and honesty.

7. Rude Behavior
 Without a connection, they may feel
"out of contact" with the other person.

8. Uncomfortable and Aggressive
• In some Arab and South Asian cultures,
the gaze may seem too direct.
• US-Americans see
a prolonged stare
as a sign of aggression.

9. Personal Space . . .
 We are all territorial.
 Group norms exist for
all cultures.
 We acquire our
“specific” space in
early childhood.

10. Get Info Before Going Abroad!
 In the Middle
East, standing
less than 1 foot
next to someone
is acceptable.
 In Europe & North
America, 2.5 – 3
feet is acceptable.
 In Asia, 4 – 5 feet
is acceptable due
to bowing.

11. Intercultural Exchanges
on Campus
 There’s more than just International
Education Week!
 Become more visible on campus as an
organization
 Make international events more visible on
campus
 Make international students more visible
on campus

12. Become More Visible on Campus
 Create an identifier (not a name tag)
 Attend campus events
 Join staff organizations
 Invite people to visit your office and
vice-versa

13. Become More Visible on Campus
 Have an int’l office representative on
standing committees
 Incorporate int’l events and campus
events calendars
 Have an int’l office representative at
campus events

14. Make Int’l Events More Visible
 Create intercultural training for
increased access to campus
 Have regular events co-sponsored by
int’l and departmental offices
 Give upcoming event flyers to related
classes, academic units, and
administrative departments

15. Make Int’l Events More Visible
 Create advertising and display in
popular areas
 Cultivate academic contacts with those
faculty with int’l/cross-cultural interests
 Create mailing list of those who
attended previous events

16. Make Int’l Students Visible
 Take group of int’l students to campus-
sponsored events
 Showcase an int’l group/organization each
month
 Create monthly newsletter of int’l students
 Make int’l student groups part of your
recruiting efforts
 Use int’l student groups to advertise events

17. Want More Info?
 Please visit our website at
http://www.angelfire.com/empire/sdeb
ate/intercultural.html.
 This PowerPoint presentation
 Links to information about intercultural
communication/competence
 Our email addresses
 Thank you for your attendance!