A business lunch in Japan: the German manager shakes hands with the Japanese manager, they sit down at the table. The German tries to eat as skillfully as possible with the chopsticks and eats the soup silently. After dinner, both parties politely say goodbye, while the manager casually puts the business card of his Japanese counterpart in his pocket. An evening that went smoothly? In this roughly sketched example, the German manager has already committed three missteps:
- In Japan, a small bow instead of a handshake is common.
- Noises when eating are not rude. Anyone who eats noisily likes it.
- You should take the business card with both hands and examine it in detail. Everything else is disrespectful.
It is questionable whether a successful deal will be concluded after this evening. You can learn intercultural communication in the process . As a reaction to advancing globalization, it is now even possible to study intercultural communication.
Course content
In courses in the field of intercultural communication, students learn how communication takes place in and between different cultures . They deal with linguistic as well as social and cultural science topics. You will get to know the cultures of different countries and their customs and traditions .
You will also learn how verbal and non-verbal communication works in different parts of the world. Most universities focus on business communication . In addition to practice, great importance is attached to the scientific reflection of terms such as culture, foreignness, multiculturalism or diversity. In addition, the students get to know the qualitative and quantitative methods of social research .
Course offers for intercultural communication
According to Lawschoolsinusa.com, most of the offers for studying in the field of intercultural communication can be found in the master’s area . The master’s programs are aimed at graduates from various courses who want to continue their education in the field of intercultural communication and qualify for management positions. In Bachelor area there are only a few study programs on intercultural communication. These bachelor programs often focus on business communication.
Requirements for studying intercultural communication
Studying intercultural communication requires a high level of interest in different cultures. As a rule, applicants must have a very good command of English and knowledge of another foreign language in order to be admitted to the course.
Occupational fields
The intercultural communication course qualifies students for a wide variety of professional fields . Most graduates aim to work in which they are in direct contact with people from other cultures . For example, you work as a country expert in large companies or work in administrative authorities. Multinational organizations or supranational institutions such as the EU in particular need interculturally trained specialists who take on activities in management , administration or consulting.
However, graduates can also work in other professional fields. Her know-how qualifies her for work in PR agencies, editorial offices or publishing houses. Further areas of work arise in adult education , in cultural management or in business consulting. With a master’s degree, it is also possible to do a doctorate and then embark on a scientific career at the university.
Studying abroad? Intercultural communication in practice!
Intercultural communication students should gain as much practical experience as possible . Studying abroad is perfect to
- to get to know other cultures and countries firsthand.
- apply the theoretically acquired knowledge about intercultural communication in real life.
During their stay abroad, students also improve their foreign language skills, which are so important for the subject . They also train their intercultural competence and acquire soft skills with which they can score points in their later professional life. These are, for example, flexibility and organizational skills.
