What’s all this fuss about culture, anyway?
By Michel Amanton

Lecture
Cross-Cultural Training
Tues, Nov 6, 3pm
Sala Quetzal
Biblioteca Pùblica
Insurgentes 25
Free

If you are a foreigner living in Mexico, you’ll want to come to this presentation. Even if you are one of those folks who think, “What more can anyone teach me about Mexico, I’ve lived here forever?” Come and be surprised anyway.

What are some of the most important (and unconscious) differences between our cultures that sometimes make our heads spin and emotions soar? Cultural differences can, and do, affect interactions between people. This becomes painfully evident in international settings where people are expected to perform, make decisions and function successfully with people of a culture other then their own and lack the necessary knowledge, skills or tools to do so at ease.

When we are not culturally fluent, we simply cannot perform to our utmost and, interestingly enough, research suggests that the length of time spent living or working with people of another culture offers no key in itself to understanding the “invisible” side of culture; no guarantee of insight into the motivation, nor the behavior of a people. Specialized skills are needed in order to achieve cultural competence and experience optimum success/comfort.

Cross-cultural training aims to develop awareness and understanding of cultural differences. The result breaks down barriers and creates clearer communication, builds trust and strengthens relationships, and generates tangible results in the workplace and at home.

This brief introduction by Mary Ellen Colón to cross-cultural training explains how this knowledge can benefit anyone who lives, works or studies with people from a culture other than their own. Based on extensive research and experience, the trainer demonstrates the effect one’s culture has on our multicultural interactions and why you will want to know more.

Mary Ellen Colón is the founder of Intercultural Dimension and has been a consultant in intercultural communication for over 20 years. She has offered seminars and workshops in the US, Mexico, Colombia, Spain, England and France. She has a master’s degree in intercultural communication and a bachelor’s in cultural anthropology. She presently resides in Querétaro (maryellen@prodigy.net.mx ).