Going abroad! A brief guide for exchange-students with a focus on communication

Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject Psychology - Miscellaneous, grade: 1,3, Ritsumeikan University (Graduate School of International Relations), course: Global Gateway Program, language: English, abstract: 'Don't tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you have travelled.' - Mohammed1 Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit. - Jawaharlal Nehru2 Even though some of the above mentioned personalties caused inter-cultural disputes, it must be admitted, that the quotes do hit the bull's eye. Travelling and the with this connected insight in different cultural spheres do have a immense impact on behaviour, experience and acting3 and these as basic pillars of psychology shapes, whether you like or not your way of communication. This paper will look on time related values such as Poly- and Monochronicity as well as the time sense in different cultures in general. The topic will be described and elucidated with the help of personal experiences which I gathered during my studies abroad so far.