LEADING WITH A GLOBAL MINDSET
At the beginning and end of the program, we took a Global Mindset Inventory to get an idea of how our global mindset has grown throughout the program. I saw vast improvement in all categories of the inventory. The three components of the Global mindset inventory were Phycological capitol, Social capitol, and Intellectual capitol.
Phycological Capitol |
Social Capitol |
Intellectual Capitol |
Phycological Capitol was my strongest category by far both before and after the program, and I saw the least growth as a result. My self-assurance score improved from 3.8 to 5. Being responsible for navigating the group for much of the program allowed me to grow and become more confident as a leader. Even though I messed up a couple times, I was able to learn from these experiences and become a pro navigator. My quest for adventure increased from a 4.4 to a 4.6. I thought traveling would quench a thirst I had to travel, but my desire to travel only increased as a result. My passion for diversity improved from a 3.63 to a 4.5. Interacting with the German students helped me realize how important diversity is in the workplace.
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My Social Capitol saw vast improvement throughout the program. Interpersonal Impact saw the largest increase, going from a 2.33 to a 4.33, tied for my greatest improvement. My intercultural empathy improved from 2.83 to 4. I attribute this to the ability we had to work with the students from Reutlingen University. My diplomacy saw the least improvement in this category, increasing from 3.6 to a 4.2. Diplomacy is not a topic that was not discussed much in the coursework and would be a good addition to the minor in the future.
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My Intellectual Capitol was my weakest category, with an overall score of 2.81 at the beginning. I scored high in Cognitive complexity with 4.8 at the beginning and 5 at the end of the program. I saw the greatest improvement in Global Business Savvy, improving my score from 1.63 to 3.75. I attribute this improvement to the interaction we had with business and getting the opportunity to ask questions about operations and organization. My cosmopolitan outlook saw vast improvement as well, improving from 2 to 3.86. I attribute this growth to the experiences I had interacting with locals and students from other universities.
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Pre-Conceived Notions Versus Actual Experience
Coming into this program, I was under the assumption that Americans were viewed as arrogant and annoying by most European people. Looking back on this notion is humorous as I have noticed that the group as a whole came off as both arrogant and annoying when we first arrived in the Czech Republic. Between being loud in public and a general sense of entitlement, it is not surprising we were getting lots of nasty looks. However, as time went on, we started to pick up on the social norms of these countries and without even noticing it, changed our behavior. Since we arrived back in the Czech Republic, I am yet to get a single nasty look or do something where I realized after the fact was inappropriate. I have also realized that people do not have a problem with Americans, but rather Americans are more likely to do things that go against the unspoken rules of a country. I have never got a rude look from someone when I tell them I am from America, in fact many people love to talk about the places in America they would like to travel one day. It is easy to understand why Americans who go to Europe on vacation come back and say the Europeans hate Americans, when in fact Americans are usually too culturally unaware to notice they are violating the social norms of a country.
Cultural Differences
CzechiaPeople in the Czech Republic are very reserved in public places. Public transit is usually quiet, even in peak rush hour. It is far less common for people to approach total strangers and ask them for advice or directions. Small talk does not have much of a place either. If you ask someone how they are doing you better be ready to hear how their day ACTUALLY was, not just a pretty good. Interactions with people in stores and restaurants are often short and to the point.
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GermanyThe German students we worked with in Reutlingen gave us an insight into the culture of the German workforce. My group members would make significant progress on the project between classes without telling the rest of the group. Working hard and producing quality work is held high in German work culture even more so that in American work culture. I also learned that every presentation in Germany has to have an agenda. While this isn't uncommon in America, I have attended plenty of meeting that do not provide an agenda at the beginning of the meeting.
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AustriaIn contrast to the German workforce, the Austrian workforce appeared far more laid back. In my talk with Georg, the CEO of Crankworx, he mentioned that there was no real start or end time to the workday and also said that the entire company would take off if there was fresh snow on the slopes. Austrians seemed more concerned with enjoying their lives and spending their time doing things that brought them joy. Americans on the other hand are almost always motivated by money rather than joy.
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