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Fried Scorpions and Burger King: Revelations of Professional Cross Cultural Exchange

Fried Scorpions and Burger King: Revelations of Professional Cross Cultural Exchange. Dr. Karen E. Downing Education Librarian University of Michigan Dr. Camila Alire Dean Emeritus University of New Mexico Janice Welburn, M.L.S. Dean of Libraries Marquette University.

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Fried Scorpions and Burger King: Revelations of Professional Cross Cultural Exchange

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  1. Fried Scorpions and Burger King: Revelations of Professional Cross Cultural Exchange Dr. Karen E. Downing Education Librarian University of Michigan Dr. Camila Alire Dean Emeritus University of New Mexico Janice Welburn, M.L.S. Dean of Libraries Marquette University

  2. “The increase in computing connectivity around the world will create a new ‘collective intelligence, a global consciousness’ steadily absorbing more people, communities, and nations into its orbit.” Digital communications technology promises to marshal relevant readerships into a movable global seminar.” “We are all globalists now” “Cross-border scientific collaboration, as measured by the volume of publication by co-authors from different countries, has more than doubled in two decades…” “Project MUSE reports that nearly 40 percent of libraries that buy its journals are outside of the United States.” From: Dougherty, P. J. (2012). The Global University Press. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Accessed on 7/30/12.

  3. Why Participate in Professional Exchanges? Globalization of education and economic markets + Increased social and technological connectivity + Growth in students studying abroad = Increasing need to possess intercultural experience, knowledge, and competencies in order to be effective librarians.

  4. Cultural Competencies: What are They and Why are they Important? • Ascalon, Evelina and Born (2008) describe them as the union of social intelligence and culture in the following way: • The capacity to recognize and understand culturally-based cues of persons from a variety of cultures; • The ability to make accurate social inferences in a variety of cultural encounters; • The ability to accomplish relevant social objectives across cultures; • The facility to interact through one’s acceptance and understanding of other cultures. (p. 111).

  5. One Model for Professional Exchange: People to People • Originated after World War II (1956) by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower • Focuses on the importance of global professional &cultural exchange between ordinary citizens of different countries to promote peaceful existence • Has facilitated mutual exchange of ideas, professional practice and knowledge between thousands of professionals from around the world • Incorporates professionals representing broad disciplines of agriculture, arts &humanities, business, education, law, medicine, science &technology, and social sciences engaging one another in the “big issues” • Helps us to better understand how our profession is similar and different between countries and cultures.

  6. People to People Model Exchange of ideas: * Library Funding * Helping Reluctant Readers * Library Marketing * Utilizing Technology * Library Facilities * Engaging Users/Non-users * Others Power of Peace Through Professional Exchange Cultural Enrichment: * Daily Language Lessons * In-country Briefings * History and Culture Overviews * Cultural Excursions * Group Meals with Traditional Foods Ongoing Cross Cultural Relationships: • Materials Exchanges • Internships • Association Work • Continuing Communications

  7. People to People Model People to People International, the Citizens Ambassador Program goal is to organize and promote opportunities for “bridging cultural and political borders through direct interaction, unparalleled access, and unique experiences for the delegations.”

  8. Lessons Learned from this Professional Exchange • Professional Lessons: • Introduction and reference point on emerging library services: (ie: new library facilities and academic integrity) • Provided the basic framework to engage in a dialog with our counterparts (ie: presentations and card exchanges) • evidence that there are opportunities to co-develop library projects between U.S.A. and China (ie: relationship between Dr. Alire and Mr. Xiangdong) • Personal Lessons: • It is energizing to discuss big issues across cultures! • Personally enriched by cultural experiences • Continuing friendships that developed from the trip

  9. Assessment of Professional Exchange • Formative Assessment Methods: • Journaling • Bus Talks • Summative Assessment: • P2P Post-trip assessment • Outcomes Assessment: • Ongoing professional exchanges • Ongoing personal friendships • Uses of cultural competencies gained

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