From a student to an interculturally competent manager: intercultural workshops for students

Abstract

The article describes a project entitled „Trainer – Expert” that was rea- lised jointly by the Centre for Comparative Studies of Civilisations at the Jagiellonian University and SIETAR Polska (Society for Intercul- tural Education Training and Research). The aim of the project was to prepare and conduct intercultural workshops for students of Cultural Studies. Every workshop was developed by a team consisting of an in- tercultural trainer (or trainers) from SIETAR Polska who selected the active training methods, and a CCSC lecturer who had the role of an expert in a particular subject of the training. The workshops gave stu- dents the opportunity to learn a formula for intercultural training and to practise skills that may enable them to communicate effectively across cultures. They also could reflect critically on their own attitude towards cultural diversity. In 2016 two workshops took place, i.e. on cooperating with Indians, and on the process of stereotipization. Both workshops met with great interest among students. The project also resulted in cre- ating the standards of the lecturer – intercultural trainer collaboration, which will be very useful for implementing similar projects in the future.