Studying in Germany - Intercultural Training for Students from USA

Document from the year 2011 in the subject Psychology - Consulting and Therapy, grade: 1,0, , language: English, abstract: This training program is especially targeted for American university students, but all exchange students, people on business and tourists can use this information to prepare themselves for a stay in Germany. It is addressed and written for all those people who are interested in the German-American cultural differences as well as for all of those who are curious and interested in how Germans appear and are seen by their foreign visitors. You will be given a variety of typical daily situations which are often critical turning points for the acceptance and understanding between visitors and members of the host country. The chosen situations are known as 'stumbling blocks', which often create confusion, misunderstandings and conflicts for many foreigners. For each episode there are four possible explanations for the native's behavior. Only one explanation is correct from the foreign point of view. The other alternatives are misinterpretations which arise from ignorance about the factors that influence a culture, or they arise from prejudices and wrong ideas about the foreign culture. The trainee has to choose the alternative he considers to be the best, in order to explain the situation from the host culture's point of view. Each explanation contains information as to why it is appropriate or not. At the end of every unit the underlying 'Culture Standard' will be explained as well as the historical development of these standards. This step by step process will sharpen the interpretation skills of the trainee to the point that he will be able to see and do things the way a German would. The training helps you to avoid intercultural missunderstandings from the start and thus makes it easyer for you to cope with the foreign culture.