CSUEB’s new cross cultural communication group seeks more members

• November 8, 2013 5:00am

Interested in making new friends and engaging in conversations with students from other countries? CSUEB’s new Cross Cultural Communication group, which aims to foster conversations and friendships between students from across the world, is seeking new students this quarter.

The group, which is facilitated by two student interns at CSUEB’s Center for International Education, aims to address the need for cross-cultural interaction among international students, and also local students.

“Many international students tend to stick together with their own ethnic group,” said Yanmei Li, one of the group facilitators. “They want to improve their English and learn things about other countries, but they just don’t have the opportunity. We thought if we created a group of members from other countries and cultures, we can learn from each other.”

Since the first meeting in October, the group has already reached a diverse crowd including students from Japan, Saudi Arabia, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan and Germany. 

The group acts as a type of peer-support group for international students, said Li. A typical meeting starts with members enjoying snacks and checking in with one another. Students are encouraged to talk about their experiences from the past week and ask questions. This is followed by cultural presentations and a discussion of topics ranging from greeting styles to taboos in different countries.

Li encourages more local students to join the group and build on their cross-cultural communication skills, which are often essential in many professions. She also hopes the group will foster global thinking and personal growth for the members.

“It’s very important to have this opportunity for local students,” said Li. “They are studying at a big university and there are so many foreign students from other countries. It’s good to have the skills to communicate well with people from different countries and cultures.”

Group meetings are scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m. on Nov. 18 and 25 in the Valley Business and Technology building, room 134. However, meeting dates and times are subject to change.

For more information on ALP’s Cross-Cultural Communication group or for the most up-to-date meeting details, contact Yanmei Li at yanmei.li@csueastbay.edu. 

--Erin Merdinger