 |
|
Garmon with a statue of the Mexican god, Quetzalcoatl.
|
As international trade agreements and advanced technology continue
to link the economies of Latin America and the United States,
it is important for U.S. institutions to be aware of how Latin
American institutions teach business communications and vice versa.
Cecile Garmon, an associate professor of communications from Western
Kentucky University, received a 1999-2000 Fulbright grant to lecture
and conduct research about intercultural communication at the
University of Guadalajara in Mexico. Garmon taught about and researched
the idea that culture defines the ways in which people exchange
ideas. Her firm belief is that international business practices,
in order to be conducted successfully, must take into account
the culturally specific aspects of communication.
Teaching graduate courses at the University of Guadalajara, Garmon
discovered that her Mexican students were accustomed to learning
about business theory but had little experience discussing the
practical application of that theory. Throughout their preparation
to enter the world of business, they had little opportunity to
develop interpersonal and organizational communication skills,
areas that are heavily emphasized at U.S. institutions. Garmon
shared with them the ways in which she prepares her U.S. students
for business communication, and she plans to insight she gained
from her Mexican students and colleagues with her students in
Kentucky.
She explained, "I feel like I have gained a great deal from being
a Fulbright scholar. I will be able to contribute knowledge about
communicating across cultures." Her plans for the future include
developing a center for international communications at Western
Kentucky University.
Please contact us
if you would like to submit your own story and/or photographs.
|
