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Intercultural Competence
Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia – A Common Seed? Pt. 2
Why did I choose this tool? (same as part 1) Having a European nationality but not having actually lived in Europe very much, I had quite a utopic view of Europe as a place where there is equality, peace, and justice. However, my experiences trying to live in Europe while engaged to an Iraqi Muslim have shown me the darker…
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Intercultural Competence
Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia – A Common Seed? – Pt. 1
Why did I choose this tool? Having a European nationality but not having actually lived in Europe very much, I had quite a utopic view of Europe as a place where there is equality, peace, and justice. However, my experiences trying to live in Europe while engaged to an Iraqi Muslim have shown me the darker side of Europe, one…
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Intercultural Competence
Dominant thinking
The task of addressing cultural differences and clashes might be simple, but it is not easy. Therefore, I will try to utilize tools of innovation in the intercultural context in an attempt to find innovative ways to address these common issues. Can you drop an egg from a tall building on solid ground without breaking it? A usual experiment in…
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Knowledge of various approaches towards raising awareness
The Game of Culture
Why did I choose this tool? Being a gamer myself, I see the correlation between my gaming experiences and my intercultural experiences, and how the below-mentioned principles actually apply to both. I have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in my life by applying these principles and I hope they can help you as well regardless of whether or not you are…
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Intercultural Competence
Seven Dimensions of Culture
Ever wonder why 2 people can have completely different reactions to the same thing? Or why some people just don’t seem to “see sense” in the same way you do, regardless of how obvious the problem/solution may be to you? The answer to this may lie in the fact that each person has been raised with and learned a certain…
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Maintaining awareness of one’s own identity
Shedding old masks
Why did I choose this tool? The article referenced in this tool is one that jumped out at me at exactly the right time, a time of transition, reevaluation, and letting go of some things that I had held dear and thought were a part of me for a very long time. It inspired me to know that not only…
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Competence model articles
I am ready to confront and be confronted when I…
Why did I choose this tool? This tool is useful to assess how ready we are to confront and be confronted. If you find that any of these statements don’t yet apply to you, you can begin to focus on that area and strengthen it further so that confronting or being confronted when necessary is not something that you run…
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Competence model articles
What is identity?
Why did I choose this tool? Developing an unconditional acceptance and appreciation for all the members of the group and being able to look beyond their looks, religion, political views, age, ethnicity, social standing or any other potential definitions of identity is essential to creating a safe and open space for growth. The reason for this is that it is…
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Competence model articles
What does it mean to you? – Understanding the relationship between meaning and identity
Why did I choose this tool? While over-emphasizing cultural differences can reinforce certain stereotypes and cultural misunderstandings, looking at the meanings that are assigned to those things we find so different can bring us to the awareness that we are not that different after all. How does this apply to being a trainer? As trainers firstly it is necessary to…
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Competence model articles
Walking boldly into uncertainty and change
Why did I choose this tool? Accepting ambiguity and change has always been a challenge for me. The desire to be right and to be certain has definitely dominated a portion of my life and at times still does. However, as a trainer and as a person I have come to see that the greatest breakthroughs I have experienced were…
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