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Panel encourages communication
Bilingual is the English term for someone who can speak two languages. But what does the world call someone who can speak only one language?
“American!” says Joanne Lisosky, one of the panelists for the Wednesday night SOAC week discussion “A Clash of Cultures and Communication.”
With the world getting smaller thanks to improving technologies of travel and communication, Americans face the unavoidable challenge of encountering unfamiliar cultures. Communication professor Art Land’s WRIT 101 “Writing for Media” class hosted the panel discussion exploring how to deal with cultural barriers through the use of effective communication strategies.
Panelists included professionals who shared their experiences dealing successfully with people around the world.
Communication Professor Joanne Lisosky began her international travels as one of the first journalism students to visit the Soviet Union in 1983. She was soon concerned she would be spending more time than originally planned after misplacing her ticket home in her luggage. Still, a couple of hours spent under the watchful eye of the Soviet sentry did not dampen her enthusiasm for exploring.
Over the years, she has traveled for the UN to various African nations, and has taken students to Australia and the UN headquarters in Geneva.
“I was really enticed by the risk of being a woman by myself across the world, and trying to make a difference,” Lisosky said.
Darren Brewster is the marketing coordinator at the World Trade Center of Tacoma. He has traveled on trade missions to China and has extensive knowledge in assisting companies with import, export, and trade related matters. He is currently working to form a sister city relationship between Jiang, China and University Place, Washington.
Brewster suggests learning dining customs for a culture, especially if you are doing business “because tons of business actions happen over food and drink. So if they use chopsticks, you use chopsticks. If they use their left hand, then use your left hand. It shows curiosity and also that you care about their culture,” Brewster said.
Captain Andy Ecklund is a PLU Alumnus, and currently works at PLU as a recruiting officer for the ROTC program. His duty assignments in Germany, Iraq, and Afghanistan expanded his ability to adapt and gain trust in other cultures.
From his recent experience in Iraq, Ecklund discovered how hard it is to communicate some everyday ideas from Western culture. “The concept of freedom is so foreign, it is very frustrating,” Ecklund said. “Be extremely careful of what you promise, and if you do promise something make sure you deliver your end of the bargain.”
The class was impressed with the turn-out, and students seemed eager to broaden the discussion. “I never lost interest when Joanne Lisosky shared her stories of travel, conflict, and friendship,” first-year Andrea Jensen said.
Others were simply surprised to learn something new about someone they thought they knew everything about.
“I knew Captain Ecklund before the discussion, but I was surprised by his cultural experiences,” junior communication major Chris Oledan said.
The panelists acknowledged real and difficult problems remain between countries and cultures, but each remains optimistic about the potential for skilled communicators to reach across cultural borders. All agreed that citizens of the United States have much to offer and look forward to, and being open and curious about other cultures is extremely important.
“Curiosity about other cultures will break down animosity,” Lisosky said.
This article was written by Andera Jensen, Brett Langlois, Ryan Langlois, Keegan Maharaj, Chris Oledan, Laura Pease, Amber Walker, and Ammanda Woodard.
Bilingual is the English term for someone who can speak two languages. But what does the world call someone who can speak only one language?
“American!” says Joanne Lisosky, one of the panelists for the Wednesday night SOAC week discussion “A Clash of Cultures and Communication.”
With the world getting smaller thanks to improving technologies of travel and communication, Americans face the unavoidable challenge of encountering unfamiliar cultures. Communication professor Art Land’s WRIT 101 “Writing for Media” class hosted the panel discussion exploring how to deal with cultural barriers through the use of effective communication strategies.
Panelists included professionals who shared their experiences dealing successfully with people around the world.
Communication Professor Joanne Lisosky began her international travels as one of the first journalism students to visit the Soviet Union in 1983. She was soon concerned she would be spending more time than originally planned after misplacing her ticket home in her luggage. Still, a couple of hours spent under the watchful eye of the Soviet sentry did not dampen her enthusiasm for exploring.
Over the years, she has traveled for the UN to various African nations, and has taken students to Australia and the UN headquarters in Geneva.
“I was really enticed by the risk of being a woman by myself across the world, and trying to make a difference,” Lisosky said.
Darren Brewster is the marketing coordinator at the World Trade Center of Tacoma. He has traveled on trade missions to China and has extensive knowledge in assisting companies with import, export, and trade related matters. He is currently working to form a sister city relationship between Jiang, China and University Place, Washington.
Brewster suggests learning dining customs for a culture, especially if you are doing business “because tons of business actions happen over food and drink. So if they use chopsticks, you use chopsticks. If they use their left hand, then use your left hand. It shows curiosity and also that you care about their culture,” Brewster said.
Captain Andy Ecklund is a PLU Alumnus, and currently works at PLU as a recruiting officer for the ROTC program. His duty assignments in Germany, Iraq, and Afghanistan expanded his ability to adapt and gain trust in other cultures.
From his recent experience in Iraq, Ecklund discovered how hard it is to communicate some everyday ideas from Western culture. “The concept of freedom is so foreign, it is very frustrating,” Ecklund said. “Be extremely careful of what you promise, and if you do promise something make sure you deliver your end of the bargain.”
The class was impressed with the turn-out, and students seemed eager to broaden the discussion. “I never lost interest when Joanne Lisosky shared her stories of travel, conflict, and friendship,” first-year Andrea Jensen said.
Others were simply surprised to learn something new about someone they thought they knew everything about.
“I knew Captain Ecklund before the discussion, but I was surprised by his cultural experiences,” junior communication major Chris Oledan said.
The panelists acknowledged real and difficult problems remain between countries and cultures, but each remains optimistic about the potential for skilled communicators to reach across cultural borders. All agreed that citizens of the United States have much to offer and look forward to, and being open and curious about other cultures is extremely important.
“Curiosity about other cultures will break down animosity,” Lisosky said.
This article was written by Andera Jensen, Brett Langlois, Ryan Langlois, Keegan Maharaj, Chris Oledan, Laura Pease, Amber Walker, and Ammanda Woodard.