by Interstride
Have you heard of soft skills? What about cross-cultural communication? Soft skills are non-technical skills that are necessary for personal and professional success, and cross-cultural communication is one crucial soft skill for people living, studying, or working in the US or abroad. As an international student, you may already be familiar with cross-cultural communication whether from your home country or previous travels. Below, we suggest ways to grow your cross-cultural communication skills and ways to develop them specifically in the US.
Why are soft skills important to international students?
Many international students in college tend to focus on learning and mastering the technical skills and knowledge related to their field of study. However, there is another set of skills called soft skills that are essential to career readiness in the US:
- Communication
- Resilience
- Self-awareness
- Organization and time management
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Creativity
These soft skills will help you understand the people around you and interact with them in appropriate ways. Most jobs require you to communicate and collaborate regularly with people who may be different from you, so employers often value soft skills just as much as they value technical skills. Recruiters may start looking for evidence of these skills right away when they meet international students. They want to know that potential candidates will be strong communicators and integrate well into their established company culture.
Cross-cultural communication is a vital soft skill for anyone in the US
At its core, cultural awareness is about being well-rounded and open-minded to differences. Cross-cultural communication is the ability to communicate effectively with people from different cultures and backgrounds. It’s essential for living in the US because the US is a racially and ethnically diverse nation. Cultural awareness can help prevent miscommunication or accidentally offending someone. Self-awareness is also needed because it allows you to understand how your own culture impacts how you communicate.
Tips for cross-cultural communication for international students
- Pay attention to cultural norms for communication in the US and how they vary by situation depending on who you are talking to and where you are. Observe and practice as much as possible. You could even try talking in front of a mirror or recording yourself to gain more awareness of your verbal and nonverbal communication.
- Notice cultural differences in organization and time management. US institutions and businesses usually run on strict timelines. This may differ from your home country.
- In academic, professional, and social situations in the US, it’s common for people to take turns talking. While in some cultures, it is common for people to talk over each other, that is not the case in the US. If you struggle with this, practice waiting 1-2 seconds before responding to someone.
- Try different active listening techniques such as nodding and eye contact. These are types of non-verbal communication used commonly in the US.
- Avoid generalizing all Americans based on limited interactions. Instead, try to socialize and practice speaking English with students from various cultures and backgrounds. Keep in mind that there are many different cultures in the US, and there are regional differences in how people communicate as well. For example, people on the East Coast are often more direct while people in the Midwest and on the West Coast may use more passive communication.
- Be careful of using slang and colloquialisms as they can be context-specific and could be offensive to some. Be cautious when using humor because there are different types of humor in different cultures. Again, err on the side of caution to avoid awkward or harmful interactions.
- Share from your own culture and language too. Learning is a two-way street!
Final thoughts on soft skills and cross-cultural communication in the US
Soft skills do not have to be elusive for international students. They are concrete skills that can be developed and improved upon by anyone. You may find that certain soft skills come more naturally to you than others. Take inventory of your soft skills and communication style, and look for areas where you need help or could improve to better your experience as an international student in the US. Throughout this process, remember to stay open-minded and practice speaking with other people. While it’s ok to look for patterns, it’s also key to appreciate the vast differences in communication styles across and within cultures.
