The Bridge
OISS uses Catalyst Seed Grant to bring student leaders together across cultures
by Christy Logan
In the spring of 2006, a conversation between two like-minded intellectuals created “a bridge” – one that crosses borders by linking both domestic and global student leaders in intercultural dialog and shared experiences.
The discussion all began over a cup of coffee in a local café between Helen Jameson, assistant director for programming in the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) and Dorothy Simpson-Taylor, director of diversity resources in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Their discussion planted the seeds for a forum, one aimed at increasing interaction and cultural awareness between U.S. and international students at the University of Iowa.
The conversation between Jameson and Simpson-Taylor shifted, becoming more intricate and detailed – asking what happens when a group of individuals from diverse backgrounds merge on uncommon ground? What commonalities do they find? How do they respond to each other’s cultural differences?
To answer such questions would require a unique and creative approach to cultural competency. Their discussions culminated in building a “bridge.”
This bridge would be intricately designed, from its foundation to its apex, ultimately creating an innovative training program for student leaders titled, “Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity.”
As the building began, each piece began to fall into place – first with the aid of 12 carefully selected UI student leaders across campus. Students from Nigeria to India to China, as well as the U.S., each serving as individual building blocks to the final project by sharing their personal educational experiences, such as problems international students face that domestic students might not, and vice versa.
“The students in the Bridge program have an increased understanding of intercultural self-awareness and cross-cultural communication skills on both theoretical and practical levels,” Jameson said. “Participants become skilled at promoting intercultural learning within the groups they lead and at collaborating with other diverse groups.”
During a series of interactive day-long training sessions, students attend diversity-related activities both on campus and in the community, Jameson said.
“They also collaborate in small groups, discussing issues of personal identity and individual culture to dispel stereotypes, which frequently exist among groups about each other,” she said.
This culminated in a fall forum, “Crossing Boundaries – Experiencing Differences.” Jameson also said the small size of the program provides a more intimate and intense sharing of experiences.
“Many of the students leaders have spoken about various ‘ah ha’ moments when they have suddenly gained insight into why people behave the way they do,” Jameson said. “Perception is everything, and participants are provided with structured opportunities to reflect on those experiences and reevaluate perceptions.”
Student leader Josiah Alamu, a doctoral student in epidemiology in the College of Public Health from Ogbomoso Oyo, Nigeria, said he applied to the training program to become more competent and culturally sensitive to issues of diversity both on- and off-campus, as well as in the community.
“The world is becoming a global village,” Alamu said. “Therefore, there is a need to train leaders who can accommodate the norms and values of cultures different from their own.”
As former president of OASIS, the Organization for the Active Support of International Students, Alamu credits the Bridge for honing his leadership abilities and providing a platform to “engage in conversations with students from other cultures.”
“A competent leader with adequate training in diversity issues is a key ingredient to an enabling environment and maintaining peace in the world today,” he said.
The program, warmly received throughout the university, was granted a Catalyst Award Seed Grant in March 2007. The award annually recognizes faculty, staff, and students for unique projects that strengthen inter-group relations and promote a welcoming environment at the UI. The generous award provided funds for programming and supplies for many of the activities.
“All UI graduates will need the skills and know-how to work in a global market and with a diverse workforce,” Jameson said. “Students need to know how to lead and be led by people who are culturally different from themselves in order to be successful in their careers.”
Robert Tuttle, a senior international studies major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences from Des Moines, said the Bridge program created a platform to interact with a wide variety of students that he would otherwise not have met.
“I applied to the Bridge program because I felt the opportunity to be involved in conversations that focused on the rewards and challenges of cultural diversity, both domestic and global, was worthwhile for the University community, and would assist me as I pursue a career with an international emphasis,” Tuttle said. “Cultural competence requires active listening and engagement, and skill at engaging in difficult conversations without eliciting negative reactions.”
Now that the building process is complete, a capstone event for the pilot program will take place in December. During the event, student leaders will reflect on and evaluate their experiences related to the program, as well as discuss future steps to expand and institutionalize the program, Jameson said.
“Perhaps most importantly, we will celebrate the success of these remarkable students.”