The concept behind the activity
The fantastic feedback we received about ScenarioCards 1 — Team & Organization motivated us to develop a second new set of ScenarioCards: ScenarioCards 2 — Stereotypes & Diversity
Intercultural skills and the ability to deal with differences are without doubt core competencies in our modern world. Intercultural learning is now not only an established element of almost every school curriculum, but also in practically all companies. In collaboration with our graphics team, we developed 50 image metaphors to support intercultural learning that cover the entire intercultural spectrum, allowing you to address topics such as stereotypes, prejudices, diversity, and inclusion. Our “conversational pacemakers” assist you in working with critical incidents, culture shock, with cultural models in particular, and of course with intercultural communication in general. The picture cards enable even more direct access to your participants’ genuine motivations and emotions and hence contribute to a meeting of minds. They are the perfect tool to help well-versed (intercultural) trainers quickly pinpoint core issues, making it easier for participants to recognize and talk about them. They are a must-have for anyone who wants to quickly get to the heart of the matter.
Facilitating the activity
Kickoff
Getting to know each other in an intercultural context: To get to know each other in an intercultural workshop, everyone chooses a card that reflects their own experience(s) in a foreign country. The participants share their experiences in small groups. Key experiences are then shared in the whole group.
Re-interpreting cultural differences
The participants select five cards which, for example, represent typical characteristics of Chinese culture, and another five cards for their own culture. The individual characteristics are explained. Then the trainer swaps the cards assigned to the respective cultures and assigns all five cards to the other culture. By asking “To what extent can the five cards also stand for each of the other cultures?” the trainer instigates a change of perspective.
Perspectives
Two partners jointly choose two cards that, in their opinion, represent stereotypes. The aim is to discuss what negative and what positive effects these stereotypes would have if they were true. In the next round, the group discusses the results.
Preparation for international assignments
Each participant chooses one card for the hopes and a second card for the fears that he or she may have about a future international assignment. The participants share their thoughts in small groups.
Critical incidents
Small groups work with critical incidents and then present a summary of their results using a ScenarioCard. For example: “Our critical incident was about the different treatment of men and women, which is why we chose this card…”
Strategy collage and gallery
Towards the end of an intercultural seminar, small groups develop strategies for dealing with intercultural situations. The participant’s task is to illustrate the five most important strategies on a flip chart. ScenarioCards and self-drawn pictures are to be included. At the end, the flip charts are hung on the wall and inspected by the entire group as if in a gallery. The creators of the flip charts explain their collages.
