Samrawit Fentaye Abebe

Last session was great. it felt like I was on an exciting learning journey that was also a lot of fun. When we talked about our feelings using the weather as a metaphor, it opened up a new way for me to share how I feel and understand others better. This made sharing feelings easier and helped us all feel more connected. Discussing the concepts of individualism versus collectivism brought about an unexpected shift in my perspective. It made me see how everyone's background plays a role in their actions and thoughts, and it's important to remember this when we're talking or working together. This discussion made me more open and interested in learning about people who have different experiences from mine. and our last activity, the open case, working together on a real problem was also a great part of our session. It wasn't just about solving the problem but about how we all brought our ideas together. This showed me how powerful it is when we work as a team, listening to the problem, trying to understand it and using everyone's ideas to find a solution. I learned a lot from these activities, but I also really enjoyed them. They made me feel closer to everyone and excited about the different ways we can see and do things together. It was a perfect mix of learning, sharing, and having a good time with each other.

Maxwell Ugochukwu Anozie

The session provided valuable insights into intercultural communication, emphasizing the importance of clear messaging, voice modulation, body language, and active listening. It highlighted the role of these skills in effectively conveying information and leading discussions in diverse cultural settings. The session also underscored the significance of understanding and managing one's "inner climate" or emotional state before engaging in multicultural interactions. This self-awareness is crucial as it promotes better communication and prevents emotional biases from affecting discussions. Furthermore, the session introduced Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions, a systematic framework for understanding and appreciating cultural differences. This knowledge equiped me with a more enlightened viewpoint, fostering connections across cultures. In essence, the session was a comprehensive guide to effective intercultural communication, equipping participants with the skills and knowledge to interact effectively with individuals from various cultural backgrounds and build meaningful relationships. It was an enriching experience that promises to have a significant impact on future cross-cultural interactions.

Carmen Caamaño Ramiro

During this block I felt capable of materialising what was taught in the previous one. Having so much time to share and receive other's stories, views, life experiences, etc. was not only extremely enjoyable but also enriching. I believe that learning about different contexts is a vital point for a good communication. Also, discovering the cultural dimensions presented by Hofstede has allowed me to profound in my conceptions on how some cultures differ from others. As a future teacher oriented towards preschool education, the topics and activities that were developed in the class were highly interesting and offered a wide range of ideas and knowledge that could be also explored with kids. Topics like the emotions or how we interact and react to other cultures are sadly overlooked in our educational system, so linking them to such an important skill as communication is an extremely valuable way to present them. Additionally, being able to work on a practical case and working as a team adapting our way to address the situation has been fundamental. Since my day to day job will be loaded with emotions and conflict resolution, I enjoyed the possibility of working with a real life situation. Before this session having a practical case was a synonym of getting a written task and having to write decens of pages developing what could be improved or how to fix the situation. Counting with the opportunity to hear an issue from a real person and thinking collectively of answers while receiving the feedback from the person with the problem has allowed me to get a much clearer sight of how much could my ideas affect other people's choices. To me, this week was extremely positive and beneficial and I really liked it being so dynamic. I enjoyed this block more than the first one thanks to this aspect. I also feel very privileged to be able to get such a valuable intercultural experience on top of the theory assigned for this classes.

Óscar Cano Lima

It was really nice to hear about everyone’s culture and life outside Czechia. I think we learnt so much about the things we take for granted, that for some people might appear normal and common but for others are so magical and special.  

It was definitely an enriching experience.

Mónica Fernández Rubio

Hi!! I really enjoyed last two classes, because I could know two more classmates and I could learn more about centered communication. We practiced the active listening talking about the culture of Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Spain. Also we could connect with our sentiments talking about the basic emotions (sadness, mad, anxious, and happiness) that with the weather we expressed our feelings. And finally we did an open-case on which there was a case-provider, a moderator, and interested peers, on this activity one was telling an issue and the others, with their own role, we tried to help him.

Sisay Tefera Mamo

This session has given me valuable tools to navigate the complexities of intercultural communication. I gained insight into the art of being a good speaker, from crafting clear messages to using voice fluctuations and body language for impact. This will be necessary to confidently articulate information and ideas or lead conversations in person-centered communication situations.

Active Listening for Shared Cultural Insights emphasized the importance of active listening, not only for understanding but also for building relationships. Understanding the cultural nuances of communication styles, such as what goes directly or indirectly, allows me to be a more thoughtful and empathetic listener even if I am not very good at it

Thinking and discussing about understanding basic emotions and identifying, basic emotions universally was a valuable exercise. Although the information expressed may vary across cultures, understanding the underlying emotions allows for better communication and avoids misunderstandings.

The concept of "inner climate" resonates greatly. It is important for me to recognize and address my own emotional state before engaging in any kind of multiculturalism or interaction. This self-awareness allows for better communication and prevents emotional biases from influencing the conversation.

Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions: Hofstede’s framework provided a systematic way to understand cultural differences. Exploring concepts allows me to move from a more informed perspective to connections.

Overall, this session has been an enriching experience.  By honing my person-centered communication skills and developing cultural sensitivity, I feel more prepared to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.  I look forward to putting these learnings into practice and fostering meaningful connections across cultures.

Tomáš Maňásek

In our recent session, I found myself immersed in a captivating learning journey interwoven with delightful moments of camaraderie. Exploring the metaphorical connection between weather and emotions proved to be an enlightening exercise, unveiling new avenues for self-expression and fostering deeper connections with my peers. Delving into the dynamics of individualism versus collectivism sparked a profound shift in my perspective, urging me to recognize the multifaceted influences shaping human behavior and fostering a newfound appreciation for diverse perspectives. The collaborative endeavor of tackling a real-life problem in our open case activity underscored the transformative power of teamwork, emphasizing the potency of collective wisdom in problem-solving. Each activity seamlessly blended learning with enjoyment, leaving me invigorated and eager to embrace the myriad possibilities of shared experiences. This session epitomized the perfect fusion of education, camaraderie, and personal growth, leaving an indelible imprint on my journey towards greater understanding and connection.

Helen Bire Yesuf

The second session about how the weather and our feelings are connected, cultural exchange conversations and coming up with a solution session was an amazing experience for me, I had a chance to realize how the weather have been affecting my feeling and how I can define or represent my feelings as weather (inner weather). I learned a lot from cultural exchange conversations, I get to understand the difference between individualism and collectivism community, being able to identify which kind of community I came from. The cultural exchange conversations were able to improve my awareness about different cultures. I also had a chance to see how to come up with a solution when I have to make a decision about something in my life using what in my understanding is like deductive decision making which in a way figuring out what to do while having the main goal as general issue.