“We all like news about exotic countries and their interesting traditions, but they are not very useful in everyday situations, when, for example, a teacher needs to involve an Asian student into discussion, and the latter avoids voicing his opinion as it is inappropriate to do so next to an older person”, says Audronė Gedžiūtė, a teacher and research assistant at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). According to her, today it is hardly possible to imagine a young person’s life in an environment isolated from internationality.
834 international students study at KTU today, which makes up 8 percent of the total number of students. In the recent two years, the number of international students in Lithuania grew by approximately 12 percent.
“The increase in international student community could have an important impact for the self-development of the local students and for their preparation to live in a global world”, says Gedžiūtė.
According to the university teacher and the organiser of the seminars Intercultural Communication: on Board, interaction with people from other countries and working in a multicultural team is common these days, even if one works in a Lithuanian company. Therefore, it is really crucial for young people to develop their intercultural communication skills during their study years.
Avoiding Cultural Ghettos
The teachers and administrative staff working with international students often notice that many of them are rather passive toward the local culture. The problem of cultural ghettos, which is being defined in scientific literature exists at KTU, too: many international students coming to study here, tend to communicate only with their fellow countrymen. They rarely interact with local students and if they voice their opinion, it is most often some form of complain.
“This situation is bad for everyone; therefore, the series of intercultural communication seminars are being organised. We invite local students, international students, the teachers and all academic community to participate in these discussions. This is the opportunity to hear everyone and to discuss the issues directly”, says Gedžiūtė.
Is Important to Listen, and to Hear Each Other
The Head of International Studies Office Audronė Račkauskienė emphasises the importance of events, which integrate the international students into the University’s community.
“During all the events, such as the Welcome Week, which is being organised in the end of August every year, or the seminars on intercultural communication, we try to create a welcoming atmosphere, where everyone is being appreciated. We encourage dialogue between local and international communities”, says Račkauskienė.
During the Welcome Week, the students were offered a wide choice of events: from dance classes and sports competitions to lectures and interactive seminars. The international students also participated in a flash mob where they created a Lithuanian flag out of differently coloured sheets of paper.
“We are encouraging people to look for answers on how to work in a multicultural environment, on how to talk and on how to listen, so the other party would hear what is being said, and not what they want to hear”, says Gedžiūtė.
According to her, the efficient communication between local and international community is not only useful for the future careers of students, but can also prevent current misunderstandings during discussions, group projects and daily interactions.
The seminars Intercultural Communication: on Board are taking place every Wednesday at 5.30pm.
For more information please visit the Facebook page or write to international@ktu.lt
Please register here.
