Intercultural Partnership Program Guide

Table of Contents

• About the Program
• Partnerships
• Cultural Awareness
• Activities to Do Together
• Making a World of Difference Award
• Partnership Goals and Meeting Log

Welcome to the Program

RRC Polytech established the Intercultural Partnership Program, which partners Local Partners (Canadian-raised students and staff) with Global Partners (immigrant and international students) for friendship and intercultural exchange. By offering mentorship and support, we hope your partnership brings you many new experiences and a chance to make a new friend.

We hope that this Program Guide will be an effective tool for you throughout your experience as a partner. Welcome to the Program!

Watch the program orientation ›

Why this Program Exists

Intercultural communication is becoming increasingly important in today’s global environment, where personal and professional success implies the ability to communicate across cultures and to draw from all perspectives, experiences, and worldviews. This ability to see beyond one’s own culture promotes empathy for others while encouraging a degree of critical thinking about one’s cultural position.  

Program Breakdown

Our Approach to the Program

This program is based on a model of equal partnership, where both partners recognize there is mutual benefit, responsibility and commitment

The participation of every student and staff member requires the completion of the key program components.

This program is designed to be flexible and interesting for both you and your partner. As you will see, it is up to you and your partner to determine when and where you will meet. However, there are deadlines in place to guide you and your partner toward the successful completion of the Program.

All participants are awarded a formal Certificate of Participation indicating their commitment to the Intercultural Partnership Program.

Your Certificate is awarded after you have completed the minimum 10 hours in the Program as outlined above, including the one-hour Orientation, seven hours of partnership meetings, and the one-hour Reflection Survey and Meeting Log.

It is recommended you keep your Certificate of Participation. Past participants have included this certificate in their professional work portfolios and have documented their involvement in rewarding volunteer experience on their resumes.

Participants who complete the Program have the opportunity to apply for the Making a World of Difference Award. Partnerships that take their commitments to great heights and truly exemplify the “spirit” of the Intercultural Partnership Program can win! 

Let’s Get Started

What Is Partnership and Who Are the Partners?

In the Intercultural Partnership Program, we believe that each Partner has lived through specific, unique experiences, and we ask that you share your experience and perspective, whether local or global, with your Partner. Because you may have had a different cultural experience growing up, there is much to learn from one another about how you were raised, what your life has been like, and how you view the world. Genuine interest and curiosity, as well as a willingness to share, are therefore essential qualities of a Partner. In addition, good partnering requires time, commitment, and a willingness to act as a positive role model who creates a safe space where insightful conversations can be generated.

Some of the good qualities are:

1. Curiosity and Enthusiasm. When you enter a partnership across cultures, there is so much to learn from one another. When you show curiosity, and you, ask questions and find out something interesting about another person, people disclose more, share more, and they return the favour by asking you. And that’s the best way to form a bond. Be sure to take a personal interest in this partner relationship by exhibiting interest and enthusiasm, demonstrating a positive attitude, and acting as a role model.
2. Embrace equality in the partnership. You have joined this program to learn as much as to teach. Offer equal time to your partner to share their stories and thoughts. Seek out – and respect – the differences between you and them.
3. Explore cultural differences together. Engage in meaningful conversations. Your partner has grown up in an entirely different culture than you. There is much to learn from them about how they were raised, what their life has been like, and how they view the world. Additionally, remember that because we all have different experiences, it is important not to rely on your mentor as the only source of information about a culture. Work towards developing your own opinion by listening and considering alternatives. When you engage in conversation, the best approach is to listen deeply. Listening takes a combination of intention and attention. The intention part is having a genuine interest in the other person – their experiences, views, feelings and needs. The attention part is being able to stay present, open, and unbiased as we receive the other’s words – even when they don’t line up with our ideas or desires.
4. Make contact regularly. Don’t be shy about contacting your partner to arrange your next meeting. They will appreciate hearing from you! Do not let more than two weeks pass without contacting your partner or meeting together.
5. Be respectful. If you cannot keep an appointment with your partner, contact them and let them know beforehand. It is important to respect your partner’s schedule. If plans to meet change or you foresee them changing, please contact your partner in advance to make alternative arrangements to meet.
6. Contact the Coordinator if you have any problems or concerns. Sometimes, your situation changes, and you cannot complete what was agreed on. If so, please contact the coordinator to discuss other options.
7. Respect the confidentiality of your partner and what is discussed in the meetings. It is important to never take responsibility for your partner’s personal problems.
8. Seek out fun together! With your partner, figure out some fun things to do that you will both truly enjoy. Having fun is the best part of this Program! Incorporate a variety of activities into your partnership to keep things interesting, whether you are on-campus or off-campus.
9. Step out of your everyday comfort zone. Try an activity together that may not normally be an interest of yours. Trust that your partner will be there to support you!

Meeting Your Partner

Remember that it is normal to have the following experiences, especially during your first meetings together. Your partner likely feels all of these things as well, even if they do not say them out loud.

• Feelings of excitement, awkwardness, nervousness or shyness
• A desire to bond and find common ground as soon as possible
• A desire to make a favourable impression on your partner

For your first meeting together, it is recommended that you choose an activity that will allow you to talk face-to-face. Going for coffee or a walk is a great option. Always plan your next activity together when you are meeting so that you know when and where you will be meeting next. This is very important, so bring ideas to each meeting and use this Guide to help you.

Enhancing your Cultural Awareness

What is Culture?

Culture is the shared beliefs and values of a group of people. It is what we are taught from childhood. Culture affects what we think, how we feel, and what we do in a situation. Culture shapes the way we see the world. In addition, every person has their individuality, which means that as individuals, we each hold specific beliefs and values that may or may not be the same as our group culture.

The Cultural Iceberg

Culture can be compared with an iceberg. An iceberg has a visible section above the water line and a larger, invisible section below the water line.

Similarly, culture has some aspects that are easily visible or observable and others that are less visible.

The visible aspects of culture are merely an external manifestation of the deeper aspects. Deep below the “water line” our culture’s core values. These are primarily learned ideas, the things we do unconsciously, without even realizing, such as ideas of what is right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable.

Above the water line

• What do they eat?
• What music is popular?
• What are their favourite sports?
• What is considered fashionable?

Below the water line

• What are the dating customs? 
• Is hard work rewarded?
• Is competition or cooperation emphasized?
• What are their values and beliefs?
• Is it appropriate to express strong emotions?
• How do they express concerns?
• How do they express their opinions, especially of others?
• How do schoolmates express approval, or disapproval? How do parents?
• Are they comfortable with physical contact?
• What do people consider “clean”?
• Who makes decisions in the family?
• What are the roles and responsibilities of the mother and father?
• Do they spend a lot of time doing family activities?
• Do people concentrate on the past, present or future?

It is also important to note that the core values of a culture do not change quickly or easily. They are passed on from generation to generation by numerous institutions which surround us. These institutions of influence are powerful forces which guide and teach us.

So, like an iceberg, there are things that we can see and describe easily, but there are also many deeply rooted ideas that we can only understand by analyzing values, studying institutions, and in many cases, reflecting on our own core values.

In addition to differences between cultures, it is important to acknowledge differences that exist between individuals within a specific culture. The concept of personal identity gains weight over that group identity with members of a cultural group having opportunities to cross cultural borders, borrow cultural influences, define and redefine themselves. In this way, the concept of culture becomes fluid. Culture is not static: it changes over time, it is something that individuals/members of the group shape, define and redefine over time, at least as much as culture shapes individuals.

In the Intercultural Partnership Program, we invite you to explore differences in a safe, positive and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing those differences and giving them equal worth and value.

This doesn’t deny our differences, nor does it shy away from addressing or negotiating incompatible communication or behavior approaches. It acknowledges that conflict will and does exist in healthy systems of interaction. Diversity then harvests that insight along with the power of inclusion to find a way forward in those situations of incompatible behaviours to work together to meet our mutually defined goals.

Intercultural Competence and Intracultural Competence

When meeting people from different cultures, the ability to think outside your own culture and see an issue through the eyes of another is critical to success. This ability to see beyond one’s own culture promotes empathy and a connection with others while encouraging a degree of critical thinking about one’s cultural position.

Part of the effort to develop cultural awareness is to understand one’s cultural values and examine contrasts with another’s culture to apply the insights to improve our intercultural competence. This involves an understanding of the way one’s life has been shaped by one’s own culture, as well as becoming comfortable with cultural differences.

While Intercultural Competence addresses our efforts to understand the differences that may exist between cultures, Intracultural Competence addresses the differences that may exist between individuals within the same culture.

Non-Verbal Communication Across Cultures

Did you know that 70% of communication is non-verbal, and this percentage can increase to 90% when two or more people are from different cultures?

Therefore, it is important to have an awareness of our non-verbal communication. It is also important to learn how non-verbal communication may be interpreted across cultures.

Take a moment to review the different styles of non-verbal communication listed below, with your partner. Discuss how these styles differ in your home countries and explain the meaning of certain non-verbal gestures that you use on an everyday basis in your respective culture:

• Head movements:
  • How do you indicate Yes? No? Come here? Go away?
• Greetings:
  • How do you greet friends? Elders? Instructors? Parents? Your manager?
  • Do you shake hands? Bow? Kiss?
• Facial expressions:
  • What does a smile mean
  • What does a wink mean?
• Hand and arm gestures:
  • What does the thumbs-up or the OK signal mean?
  • How do you point to an object or person?
  • What does it mean if your hands are in your pockets?
• Physical space:
  • How close do you like to stand to people?
  • How big is your space bubble? (The amount of space you need around you.)
• Eye contact:
  • What might it mean if a friend/instructor/manager doesn’t make eye contact with you?

Let’s Explore

Doing Things Together On- and Off-Campus

Partners are not required to meet outside of the College, and for some partnerships, it may be most convenient to meet on campus each time.

However, where possible, outings are strongly encouraged. For Local Partners, this is a great opportunity to share how familiar you are with your city and expose your partner to new and exciting events and activities you have grown to enjoy while living in Winnipeg.

Global Partners can view this as an opportunity to learn about life off-campus and why Winnipeg is truly one great city. As Winnipeg is also known to be one of Canada’s cultural and artistic hubs, this is a great opportunity for you to explore and find creative avenues that represent pieces of your home culture and language to help give exposure to your Partner.

On-Campus Activities

Here are some ideas for activities you can do together at RRC Polytech campus:

• Visit the Campus Library together.
• Find a section that interests you both and discuss books from this area. Recommend a book you like to your partner. Find an atlas or world map and locate where you and your partner were both born. Find out the library hours of operation, loan periods, and other practical information. 
• Meet for lunch at the campus. Try various foods from the menus and talk about food origins, food preparation and favourite foods! Meet for a Tim Horton’s coffee and a doughnut.
• When weather permits, have a walk-and-talk outside on the campus grounds, paying particular attention to parking areas, entrances and exits, landscaping features, places to relax and socialize outside, and bus stops. Become familiar with the external campus geography together.
• Head to the fitness facilities on campus and work out on the machines, lift weights, use the walking track, or take a lunch-hour fitness class together. 
• The RRC Polytech Students’ Association often hosts a variety of events on each campus throughout the year.
• Be sure to check the newsletters for other events taking place at the College throughout the year!

Off-Campus Activities

Here is a sample of activities that Global Partners and Local Partners have done together over the past few years – and loved!

• Make dinner for each other
• Watch a movie or TV show together
• Go to The Forks
• Visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
• Attend a concert
• Visit the Manitoba Museum
• Go to a karaoke bar
• Go to a social
• Attend a religious service
• Attend a cultural event
• Watch the Santa Claus Parade
• Participate in a Sweat Lodge
• Go to a Fall Supper
• Drive around Winnipeg
• Take the free transit shuttle: Downtown Spirit
• Visit a church, mosque, temple, etc.
• Watch the Winnipeg Jets or Manitoba Moose
• Get Slurpees
• See the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
• Go bowling
• Shop at garage sales
• Go to Assiniboine Park Zoo
• Listen to speakers at the universities
• Play basketball, ping pong or badminton together
• Go on a boat cruise
• Visit the Legislative Building
• Check out a corn or snow maze
• Go to a comedy club
• Festival du Voyageur
• Take salsa lessons
• Try yoga
• Go skating (indoors or outdoors)
• Learn to curl
• Teach your partner to knit
• Go to a film festival
• Skiing/snowshoeing/ice fishing at FortWhyte Alive
• Escape rooms
• Axe throwing
• Skate on the river
• Explore the campus you don’t attend
• Visit communities outside of Winnipeg
• Shop at Farmer’s Markets or Craft Sales
• Try to see the Northern Lights

Which of these ideas interests you? What else can you think of?

Making a World of Difference Award

This award is student-focused, but staff and faculty are also eligible to apply as part of an Intercultural Partnership Program partner with a student. The monetary award will be given to student recipients. Faculty or staff do not qualify for the monetary award but can still receive their Award Certificate.

The Making A World of Difference Award is presented to Global-Local partnerships who have participated in the Intercultural Partnership Program at any campus and who best fulfil all the following criteria in either Term 1 or Term 2.

Learn more about the award ›

Partnership Meeting Log

Goals are used to help you identify your expectations – and your partner’s – throughout the duration of the program. It is recommended you keep a list of goals and use them to measure and improve your effectiveness as a partner. This list will also help you answer and reflect on your partnership experience towards the end of your participation in the program.

Please take the time to discuss your goals with your Partner and decide upon a minimum of three partnership goals you would like to achieve together throughout this program.

You can create a shared Word document and write down the partnership goals as well as track your partnership meeting hours and keep it for your records. For each entry, make sure to note:

• The date
• The location where you met
• How many hours you met for
• Describe what you did

Aim to meet these goals by the end of your program experience!

Towards the end of the program, you will receive an email with a link to an online survey along with instructions on how to submit your meeting hours in an electronic format.