Last week, several students from the Madeleine Albright promotion of the College of Europe in Natolin had the opportunity to participate in a series of workshops on Cross-Cultural Communication. This series was conducted by renowned Australian Prof. Paul KALFADELLIS and spanned three days from 21 to 23 September 2023.
The SAPDO led-workshop took place as part of the Professional Development program, designed for the students to acquire new technical and practical skills to improve their employability.
The Cross-Cultural Communication workshop series aimed to empower participants with essential skills and knowledge for effective communication across diverse cultures. Here is a brief overview of the individual workshops:
Identity and Intercultural Communication (Thursday, 21 September 2023): This workshop explored the fundamental concepts of culture and identity. Participants gained a deep understanding of how socialization and categorizing individuals into cultural groups impact cross-cultural communication.
Understanding Cultural Difference (Friday, 22 September 2023): Participants gained an appreciation for the nuances of cultural differences and their profound influence on interaction patterns and the communication process.
Intercultural Effectiveness and Competence (Saturday, 23 September 2023): This workshop effectively enabled participants to navigate a broad spectrum of cultures, fostering intercultural competence.
Paul KALFADELLIS, PhD (Monash), the Director of the Master of Global Business program at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, spearheaded these transformative workshops. With a track record of excellence in teaching and extensive research contributions, Prof. KALFADELLIS brought a wealth of knowledge to the sessions.
His expertise encompasses subjects such as Global Business, the Business Environment, European Business and Society, and Cross-Cultural Management Communication. Notably, Paul has received the Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence and has organized numerous student study trips worldwide.
Prof. KALFADELLIS's research interests span foreign direct investment (FDI) into Australia, repeat investment, and the regional competitiveness of FDI, with publications in prestigious academic journals.