Global Competences

1.This question is an assessment of cultural adaptation as a global competency. Thus far what has been your experience in understanding and following cultural norms, making accommodations for different beliefs, values, laws, and behaviours in  your host country?

When evaluating my level of adaptability in Peru I would have to say they were some adjustments needed. I noticed differences in norms, beliefs, values, laws and behaviours.  The cultural norms that were most visible were driving and time perspectives. When viewing how others drive, there is a sudden realization of lack of obedience of laws and rules of the road. The driving is very chaotic. One would think that you would see many accidents. However, what you realize is that it works. It is organized chaos and functions very well in my opinion. With different beliefs, I have never taken a judgemental position on other beliefs. Majority of the Andes in Peru was Catholic with some integration of Incan beliefs. To learn about the beliefs and how they affect the everyday life of the typical Indigenous person in the mountains was very intriguing and also opened the window to learn the hierarchy of values that they had and why they were in place. While in Peru, I noticed that values were similar in basic nature (food, water, and shelter) but slightly different socially. There was a lack of prioritization on performance orientation and a stronger level of importance on relationships (family and friendships). This difference in values was witnessed even in business settings where if a service or product was being sought after by someone, family or friends always recommended one another. Laws in Peru are written but not all are enforced as strictly as what you would find in Canada. When thinking of behaviours in my host country you will bear witness to what I felt was on both ends of the extreme. I met people so welcoming that after a few minutes of talking to them, you are invited to their house for a large meal or some other event. There is also the other end of the spectrum. This end is where you would see what hoftsede would write about in terms of inequality. Girls being whistled, barked or howled at was a frequent and normal occurrence. This is something that I would try to stand up for as long as it did not create confrontation with others. Those willing to listen to an idea, I would have a conversation with. Those who did not I only expressed that I felt it was not well received by most girls, especially other female volunteers who have been raised to believe the same as I.

 2.This question is an assessment of network and relationship building as a global competency. From your experience to date, what would you say are the main factors in connecting with local people and partners, both socially and professionally? Has it been different from how you might connect with colleagues and partners in your own country, or do you find things fairly similar?

I found that the main struggle for networking and relationship building when first arriving to Peru was the language barrier. It made communication difficult, not impossible, but difficult. I was very shy to initiate conversation at first. In time I learnt the language enough to communicate effectively and then was able to network and develop relationships with much more ease. I found that the sequence of creating professional and social relationships was very similar in most ways. However more time was spent getting to know someone and the stronger the relationship with that person, the easier it was to work with them. The main factors in gaining a connection with the partners we worked with would be through the establishment of trust and being a genuine person who is interested in them and their lives.

3.This question is an assessment of intercultural communication as a global competency. How have you found communicating with local people and colleagues? What have you found works best in getting your message across to local  people and colleagues, and alternatively picking up on what local people and colleagues are wanting to communicate?

I found that communicating with the local people and colleagues required a level of awareness. Communication needed to factor many things that could alter or interrupt the desired message from being encoded properly. The factors include; level of education, cultural differences, language (Spanish and Quechua), and differences in body language even. To help with the challenges in communication I read about the culture, listened about the beliefs of the locals, took Spanish lessons every day and learnt a few words in Quechua and played acute attention to body language and when needed asked questions about anything that I did not understand.  

4.This question is assessing an attitude of sensitivity and respect as a global competence. How have you found maintaining an attitude of sensitivity and  respect while in situations where cultural protocols, etiquettes, gender roles, and social systems  differ to what you are use to or to what you are comfortable with?

I found that I had no issues with remaining an attitude of sensitivity and respect as a global competence. The way I was brought up by my family really allowed me to witness many new elements without passing judgement. I have also taken many classes in cross-cultural communication and well prepared through discussions when in pre-departure training. However, there were times that I had to speak and discuss the issues of treatment of women, and animals.

5. This question is an assessment of knowledge of the host country as a global competency. Pre-departure training gives you a small window into the history and culture of your host country, but this is just an introduction. How have you found the process of learning and understanding your new surroundings? What roles have curiosity and cultural engagement played in obtaining a greater knowledge of your host country.

 The moment I entered Peru I began learning about Peru’s history and a little about the current events by my host organization Nexos Voluntarios (NeVo). They gave Ronny and I a welcoming package that contained information about NeVo and Peru itself. We also had a orientation when we arrived and learnt more about history. During the first few months in Peru we also had cultural activities that allowed us to really become acquainted with the local culture and history. Therefore, I give a lot of credit to NeVo for their well-structured programing which continuously educated volunteers about Peru and its culture. Other forms of learning were through basic conversation with locals. That was at times a very fun way to learn about the culture in the Andes.

6. This question is an assessment of personal and professional commitment as a global competency. Reflecting on the time you have spent in your host country, how would you judge your capacity to live a balanced life while working interculturally? Have you been proactive in your engagements with your new environment; did you try to show leadership in both your personal and professional life?

With regards to personal and professional commitment I experienced a learning curve here. I was committed on a personal level. I also was involved as much as possible with many different areas of the projects. I did however go through a period of discouragement when faced with a barrier in the work setting. This time period of discouragement was a true test of commitment and over the course of completing my internship was overcome. I overcame this barrier towards the end of my internship with notifications of changes in the work setting and with a fresh outlook on development when working on a project designed by Ronny who I helped coordinate a group from the University of Oregon.

7.  This question is an assessment of intercultural team leadership as a global competency. When faced with an obstacle, what has been your experience in attempting to shift between creative thinking (generating multiple possibilities) to critical thinking ( arriving at best solutions to challenges), while coping successfully and performing effectively in the face of significant stress or adversity?

At times when working with a group and faced with an obstacle, which does happen. I was faced to make some critical decisions that I felt would help the team remain productive until that obstacle was over-come. At times it meant that the problem was put a side and some short and needed actions needed to be carried out. I would take initiative on these actions. When working with locals on our projects and a barrier was faced, we did all we could to create action of keep the steps of the projects to flow in a timely fashion. However, at times there was a need to make the next step happen and this was done by us instead of the local partner. When the local partner did not have control of a circumstance sometimes instead of admitting it, he/she/they, would have difficulties admitting to this. This could have been cultural I do not know. However, after the timeline was stretched to far action from our staff at NeVo was needed.