Developing Cultural Agility In Students, Staff & Faculty

Program Guide 2019-2020

▪ Advising and Teaching with Cultural Empathy

▪ Teaming with Cultural Agil ity

▪ International Student Success

▪ Design Consulting for Community Inclusion and Belonging

CONTENTS

Welcome …………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………..……3Our Mission ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4Priority Strategies for 2019-20………………………………………………………………………………………..5

Our Programs

Advising and Teaching with Cultural EmpathyCultural Agility Training for Advisors……..……………………………………………………9Life Journey Sharing – Dialogue Skills that Build Trust ………………………………10Faculty Teaching International Students – Making a Pedagogical Shift……..11

Teaming with Cultural AgilityBuilding Cross-Cultural Team Collaboration………………………………………………13Building Team Trust with Life Journey Storytelling.…………………………………..14

International Student SuccessWorkshops for International Students………………………………………………………16Networking Books and Videos………………………………………………………………..…19Video Tutorial Library ……………………………………………………………………………….20One-on-One Online Coaching ……………………………………………………………………21

Program Development for Inclusion and Belonging………………………………………………………23

Questions and Inquiries ……………………………………………………………………………………………….24

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Welcome to our 2019–2020 Guide

For all of us who support international students, we know firsthand, how much more anxious

international students feel being in the United States. What is clear is that international students

need more support than ever to feel secure and a sense of inclusion and belonging. Most

importantly, they need support and training so they can effectively participate in their new

environment.

At Dreambridge Partners our goal is to open all of your students’ minds through education and

help them to be their best selves and global citizens. More broadly, we aim to create inclusive

communities where staff and faculty build their capacity for cultural agility.

Students from Asia, Latin America and the Middle East dominate university International student

populations. Their performance and satisfaction are critical to university programs and their success.

We’ve found cultural difference to be the leading cause of student performance and campus

integration challenges. Career mobility and success is the number one reason students come to the

United States so their inability to make progress and achieve success is a leading cause of student

dissatisfaction. As international student numbers increase, stress is evident among International

students, domestic students, staff, and faculty alike.

Our aim is to improve performance and satisfaction for all constituencies of the university. Our

diverse teaching modalities and design consulting on international student programming have been

proven to be highly effective and impactful across many U.S. campuses.

We look forward to partnering with you towards advancing your students’ Best Self and your school

community’s Cultural and Interconnected Agility.

OUR MISSION & APPROACH

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Our ApproachAchieving our mission is about helping individuals know themselves deeply, so they can consciously

collaborate with others in empathy and mutuality, especially with others who are visibly different from

them.

Our MissionCatalyze leaders of all backgrounds to own the genius of their Best Self and help universities and

workplaces build an ecosystem that allows all individuals to feel a true sense of Belonging and thus,

thrive.

InterConnected Agility™

Best Self

CultureBelonging

BEST SELF – Americans are expected to

change jobs 10-15 times and have 5-7 careers.

As market needs and job roles change rapidly,

students must know their passions and core

assets to effectively target jobs, communicate

transferable skills and perform well, in order

to have a satisfying and sustainable career.

CULTURE - As students work in diverse

workplaces (global, gender, race and other

identities) they must have awareness of Self

and Others in order to quickly assess and

effectively operate in different cultural norms

while also effectively collaborating with

people who are different from them.

Recruiters continually site soft skills as the

leading skill they seek among business

school graduates.

BELONGING – Belonging, created through

trusted and meaningful human connection, is a

fundamental human need (Maslow’s Hierarchy

of Needs). However with the pervasiveness of

social media (transactional -- engenders

loneliness), one’s ability to experience authentic

belonging in communities must be be

consciously created. Belonging is critical, not

only to effectiveness at school and work, but to

one’s mental health and overall wellness.

PRIORITY STRATEGIES TO APPLY IN 2019-20

At Dreambridge Partners, we know that universities are under increasing pressure to maintain student

satisfaction and show return on investment for their students. This is an increasingly difficult challenge

with respect to international students because of their cultural challenges and lofty expectations.

We pride ourselves on getting to know each school we work with and to understand their students and

particular campus culture. With our Design Consulting approach, we customize programs that are

targeted and holistic, and most importantly produce demonstrable results.

As we head into the new academic year, there are four key areas we encourage you to consider.

• Advising and Teaching with Cultural Empathy

• International students rank Career Services and International Student Services offices as

some of the most important departments on campus. Understanding the international

student perspective and their cultural norms is key to increased levels of engagement and

satisfaction.

• Teaming with Cultural Agility

• Understanding cultural preferences and how individual preferences impact and affect team

dynamics is key to success academically and professionally. This programming helps all

students build awareness, improve interpersonal communications and ultimately their

impact.

• International Student Success

• International students need help transitioning from home culture to American university

life to career. Our systematic coaching program to support international students achieve

career goals is a step-by-step deep dive into mastering a US job search that is fraught with

additional challenges and hurdles.

• Design Consulting for Community Inclusion and Belonging

• A sense of isolation and aloneness is not unusual for international students. These students

yearn to belong to their school community but many lack knowledge and cross-cultural

skills. Universities that understand the unique needs and expectations of international

students can improve student satisfaction, retention, and success.

The depth and breadth of our work is significant. We have extensive experience creating supportive

programs that increase student engagement and satisfaction as well as impacting career outcomes.

We work closely with our university clients to design and deliver purposeful solutions that align with

their organizational goals.

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Introducing Our New Team Members

James Morrison

Vice President of Academic Institutions and Student Programs

James formerly served as Consul of Ireland to New England and previously worked for EF Education First,

holding a number of senior roles including Director of Career Services for Hult International Business School.

Under his management, James managed career services across the global campus network in Boston, London,

Dubai, Shanghai and San Francisco.

Most recently James worked with Shorelight Education where he created and managed a career development

and training program exclusively for international students. In three years, his program expansion went from six

to seventeen partnerships.

"I love the world of international education. Working in a role that enables me to support students directly or the

people who support them is such a privilege. When you see students at the end of the journey and the

transformation they have undergone, it leaves me with a wonderful sense of satisfaction and positivity to know

that we can, and do, help these young men and women, become more globally minded citizens. I look forward to

working with you all".

Dreambridge Partners is thrilled to welcome James to our team! James is a Senior

Global Education Executive with almost 20 years of experience in program innovation

and management with an outstanding track-record of building programs from the

ground up.

Our Team of University Coaches

We’re here to support University Clients during crunch-times when high-volume coaching is needed for

international students. This typically occurs during Pre-Arrival, Job Search Pitch Development and Interview

Prep when individual one-on-one coaching is critical. Our online coaches are experienced and empathetic

experts who know how to quickly pinpoint a student’s blocking issue while develop trusting relationships with

them to offer targeted support and demonstrable results.

Our team has expanded to include experienced and proven coaches who have

extensive experience working with international students in career and student

support.

Our Programs

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Advising and Teaching with Cultural Empathy

It was such a tremendous session. I wish

it was longer… I am so appreciative for

this session before I enter my new role

as an advisor.

One of the most useful sessions I've

been to… amazing speaker. I look

forward to more workshops with Judy.

I really appreciated her advice on how

to support students in advising those

are lessons that will be

helpful for all students, not just

international students.

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What is Covered

• Comparisons of cultural preferences between the US and countries with the highest number of

international students in the US.

• How cultural preferences affect advising approaches and protocols

• How cultural agility impacts student utilization and trust of advisors

• How an advisor’s coaching style needs to shift to build international students’ trust and rapport,

a quid-pro-quo for coaching effectiveness

• Introduction of Cultural Coaching 5-Steps for Coaching Session Effectiveness

• Experiential role play (as time allows)

Format FEE

✲ 3 Hours — mix of lecture, discussion and role play

✲ Audience size – maximum 75

$6,850

+ travel, lodging

& meals

CULTURAL AGILITY TRAINING FOR ADVISING EFFECTIVENESS

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Coaching International students requires advisors to perceive, respond, and coach differently than when

coaching American students. International students are different in their interpersonal engagement

styles and communication norms. Their difference stems from cultural norms that can very greatly from

that of Americans. It’s shown that advisors who understand “why” international students act the way

they do are more effective in adapting their coaching style to fit the needs of international students,

resulting in students who trust more, engage more deeply, and succeed more.

ADVISOR PROGRAMS

What is Covered

• Experience the powerful effects of Sharing our Personal Journeys/Stories

• Group exercise in Sharing Personal Journeys/Stories

• Experiential skill building: Empathetic Listening, Non-Verbal Perception, and Reflective Silence

• Strategies to apply these skills to student coaching/advising

Format FEE

✲ 3 Hours — mix of lecture, discussion and role play

✲ Audience size – maximum 24 persons

$6,850

+ travel, lodging

& meals

LIFE JOURNEY STORY SHARING –

DIALOGUE SKILLS THAT BUILD COACHING TRUST

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Sharing stories about our life journeys builds bridges with international students, who seek to build

relationships before engaging in the transactional aspects of advising. The practice of story sharing

develops empathy and vulnerability, critical dialogue skills for effective advising. Story sharing develops

advising skills such as Empathetic Listening, Non-Verbal Perception and Reflective Silence.

International students tend to open up to advisors/coaches when they feel safe and truly seen and

heard. Given many international students defer to hierarchy, and want to avoid losing face, being

straightforward in advising sessions can be very challenging for them. An advisor’s capacity to build

trust by reading non-verbal cues or by understanding implicit communications are vital for effective

advising.

ADVISOR PROGRAMS

What is Covered

• How students’ cultural values and norms affect their learning, engagement and expectations of

the learning experience

• Strategies to address cultural and demographic shifts in classrooms/learning teams

• Discussion of international students’ home cultures and how that affects classroom behaviors

• Practical Strategies to address high frequency challenges experienced by faculty members

Format FEE

✲ 2 Hours — mix of lecture, discussion and role play

✲ Audience size – maximum 24 persons

$6,850

+ travel, lodging

& meals

FACULTY TEACHING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS –

MAKING A PEDAGOGICAL SHIFT

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As international students account for an increasingly large population in graduate programs across the

US, faculty members are noting the dramatic shifts in classroom dynamics. This is particularly true in

programs where international students from Asia dominate the student population. Faculty note

decreased class participation and increased intra-team challenges between international and American

students.

Indeed, a faculty member’s ability to adapt pedagogy to various cultural learning styles results in

improved teaching effectiveness and student engagement.

FACULTY PROGRAMS

Teaming with Cultural Agility

I found talking to international

students in a group very helpful, it

was important to get to know

their cultural expectations before

beginning to work with [them].

– University of Pittsburg,

Katz School of Business

Opening up and sharing in the small

groups created an immediate environment

of trust and connectedness.

– Washington University, St. Louis,

Olin Business School

Challenged me to reflect. Helped me

understand why other cultures differ

from my own. Great content!

– Washington University, St. Louis, Olin

Business School

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What is Covered

• Understanding cross-global cultural preferences and how that affects team collaboration

• Assessment to identify one’s cultural preferences

• Through case studies, experientially learn the effects of culture on team dynamics,

communications and collaboration

Format FEE

✲ 3 Hours — mix of lecture, discussion and role play

✲ Audience size – maximum 75 persons

$6,850

+ travel, lodging

& meals

BUILDING CROSS-CULTURAL TEAM COLLABORATION

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With the cultural diversity of student populations, understanding cultural preferences and knowing how

to code-switch can positively affect team communications, decision-making, and belonging for

members of the Learning Team. Cultural norms (defined as behaviors stemming from the history and

values of the people of a geography) affect critical team factors such as decision-making, conflict

communications/management, and inclusion. Cross-cultural education helps all students build self-

awareness, improve team communications and trust.

STUDENT PROGRAMS

What is Covered

• Facilitated sharing of life stories in small groups/learning teams

• Translates story-sharing to building relational trust in teams

• Building emotional intelligence (empathy, self-awareness) for others

• Strengthen team members’ authenticity and responsibility for each other

Format FEE

✲ 3 Hours — mix of lecture, discussion and role play

✲ Audience size – maximum 75 persons

$6,850

+ travel, lodging

& meals

“STORIES OF US” - BUILDING TEAM TRUST WITH LIFE JOURNEY STORYTELLING

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One of the factors that builds trust in teams is learning about each other’s personal journey and history.

The unmasking of the “resume self” to reveal pivotal life moments allows each member to be a more

authentic version of self. Such intimate knowledge of each other builds one’s accountability to team

members. Moreover, many international students come from relational cultures where building

interpersonal trust is the starting point to team effectiveness.

STUDENT PROGRAMS

International Student Success

It was the perfect beginning of the career

development and coaching process.

– Southern Methodist University,

Cox School of Business

[I am going to] speak out more and

interact more with everyone…

-Boston University

Questrom School of Business

[I learned to] be more critical of my

story and make it more impactful

and unique for a recruiter.

- Rochester University, Simon

Business School

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BUILDING BLOCKS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT JOB SEARCH SUCCESS

Our step-by-step “Building Block” programs utilize precise cultural decoding to develop critical skills

for International student market readiness.

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STUDENT PROGRAMS

Adapting to U.S. Culture

For international students, the key to acculturation success is understanding critical American values

of individualism and personal expression – values that can differ widely from other world cultures.

This session explains how these values show up in academic, social and job search realms in the

United States and addresses what students need to do to succeed, including interactive role playing.

(Phase – Understanding Norms)

Personal StorySelling with Small Talk

Telling personal stories in public is not a norm in many cultures, but is a “must have” social and

professional skill in the U.S. This workshop helps students learn and practice the fundamentals of

American small talk: developing personal stories, keeping a conversation going, entering and leaving

conversations.

(Phase – Developing Stories)

Career StorySelling

StorySelling is about developing the most compelling stories and knowing how to convey them most

effectively in the setting of networking and interviewing. Applying American marketing concepts of

customer needs and key selling points, this workshop helps students build a unique and relevant

“core story” for their job search, debunking the myth that superior grades are the pathway to U.S.

jobs.

(Phase – Developing Stories)

The 5 Questions You Must Master for Interviews and Networking

Students build on their core career story (their pitch) to create compelling and authentic “Proof

Stories” essential for job search conversations. This workshop unpacks the critical factors to

successfully answer the “5 key questions” including the intent of interviewers, a templated framework

for response and live practice with feedback.

(Phase – Practice Interactions)

“BUILDING BLOCKS” WORKSHOPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

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International students need an explicit road map to develop communication and social skills vital for

their confidence and success.

Each workshop topic corresponds to a “Building Blocks” Student Readiness Phase as illustrated on

page 16.

STUDENT PROGRAMS

Navigating Large Event Networking

Career fairs, on-campus company visits and speaker forums are International students’ first

introduction to American job search networking. It can be daunting. Most cultures do not network

like Americans. Key elements of group networking will be addressed, such as conducting pre-event

research, having clear goals for events, learning how to start, engaging and leaving group

conversations and following up with contacts after the event.

(Phase – Practice Interactions)

One-on-One Networking

The most impactful networking occurs one-on-one. For International students, however, promoting

oneself to individuals in positions of authority is simply not done. Many have never even conversed

with senior-level individuals. This session focuses on how to: Make contact, navigate the 4 phases of a

networking conversation, engage socially, showcase qualifications and interest, ask strategic

questions during the conversation, and follow up after the meeting. One-on-one networking is,

without a doubt, the most difficult and challenging job search skill for International students to

develop and master.

(Phase – Practice Interactions)

“BUILDING BLOCKS” WORKSHOPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - continued

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Teaching Options FEE*

One Day On-Campus Visit

Up to 2 workshops (1.5 – 3 hours each). Daily rate

$6,850

“Building Blocks Series” – Multiple On-Campus Visits

This approach delivers an “integrated continuum” of cultural learning that has

proven highly effective for students.

2 days:

$13,000

3 days:

$16,500

*Fee does not include travel, lodging, and meals

STUDENT PROGRAMS

NETWORKING BOOK AND VIDEOS

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Networking Readiness –Building Confidence and Storytelling Skills

In the U.S., 70% of jobs come from networking. Networking is a critical skill to develop if students are

serious about finding a job in the U.S. The cultural aspects of networking present a unique challenge for

International students, particularly those whose cultures frown upon self-promotion. Therefore,

students need to possess a firm grasp of the “what” and “why” of networking before they can perfect

the “how”.

Judy’s How to Network Like an American book FEE

Judy’s book is a comprehensive, yet simple, step-by-step guide that provides a

deeper understanding of networking, including sample emails, networking

conversations, cultural do’s and don’ts.

Here’s what one student had to say:

“The biggest difference between Judy’s book from others is telling you what

you should write.. what you should say… I revised my pitch… I put my story

into invitation emails… I made phone calls… I got an interview… I realized how

useful networking is! – Olivia Fu

$24.99

Networking Readiness Bundle: Book and Video Learning Package Fee

The complete set of networking tools:

• Bulk book purchases (100+ copies).**

• Complimentary videos included

Our 13 networking videos walk students through the entire networking

process, from cultural concepts to implementation.

For 100 books: $2,000

**Orders of 100 or more books receive a

20% discount

STUDENT PROGRAMS

Networking is a difficult skill to master, especially for non-Americans. Equipped with the context,

frameworks and live practice, International students gain the tools to network with confidence.

VIDEO TUTORIAL LIBRARY

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An at-your-fingertips “how-to” reference that addresses critical cultural nuances that affect success.

Our Dreambridge Learning website features these videos for free to

anyone who wishes to view, share, teach, or advise with them!

Go to www.dreambridgelearning.com to access them – right on the

home page. The videos are grouped by topic:

Basic Foundational Topics

• U.S. Culture

• Academics in the U.S

• Small Talk

• Job Search Success

• StorySelling

Premium / Fee-Based Topic: Networking

Networking is one of the most critical skills to master for job search success. Our videos address vital

phases of the networking process. These videos, 13 in all, comprise the bulk of our Networking Video

Series. The series is available as part of the Networking Readiness Bundle (see page 19).

I have sat through several of Judy Shen-Filerman’s

presentations at various career conferences, and her

video presentations mirror her in-person delivery

In every respect: insightful, empathetic,

informative and inspiring.

Goizueta Business School, Emory University

I think those [videos] are really

good. They help me not only

understand several aspects

of American life, but also

increase my confidence.

Y. Cui, Student

STUDENT PROGRAMS

Suggested Situations for Engaging Our Online Coaches

• Pre-Arrival Welcome and Preparation

• Pitch development and feedback that require individual attention

• Students who are struggling / under stress and need special attention

• Just-in-time coach staffing for high crunch time including on campus networking and recruiting

events and external professional association career fairs and conferences.

Engagement Formats FEE

✲ Hourly

✲ Program Engagement

$150

Customized

package

ONE-ON-ONE ONLINE COACHING

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We recognize that students optimize service supports at certain times in a school calendar when

demand often exceeds supply. Providing students with the individualized feedback at these peak

times gives them the coaching needed to overcome their current challenges.

Our qualified coaches understand international students and help address their needs immediately.

More importantly, they help your students understand how every university experience and external

opportunity supports their overall development. Additional coaching for international students

supports:

• Peak volume times when students need help to successfully participate in university events

• Student engagement and retention; evidence of support and care drives student satisfaction

• Personal development and career development for students to help them build Relationships,

Skills, Experiences and Brand

We offer a personalized service to all our clients and work to create a strategic and customized

program to suit your budget.

STUDENT PROGRAMS

Program Development for Inclusion and Belonging

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International Student Program Design FEE

Our consulting service helps universities address multiple aspects of an

International student’s experience. We provide:

1. Assessment of your current programs

2. A framework for effective International student support

3. Strategies, such as programming and training, to address critical needs

A strategic design supports international student retention and engagement

with university life so they leave their university experience as successful

graduates, with confidence and satisfaction, and as engaged alumnae.

Fee varies

depending on

engagement

breadth, depth,

and duration

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAM DESIGN

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DESIGN PROGRAMS

American universities have a unique opportunity to help International students have a positive,

memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience that engenders long-term ties with the university.

As the cultural breadth of the student population grows, this is also causing greater differences

in preferences and norms that affect teamwork, relationships and effectiveness. Learning

teams can no longer “assume” a default modus operandi. Instead team norms need to be

negotiated, so that all team members believe their values, thinking, and behaviors are

respected and recognized. Such an outcome requires a new level of understanding about

cultural preferences and norms (international), as well as categories of social identity

(American). Our Inclusion and Belonging frameworks allow students to develop new cognitive

strategies and emotional empathy in order to operate more efficiently in their Learning Teams.

We know that the #1 reason international students come to the United States is to advance

their career opportunities. We work with universities to create programming that supports the

individual needs of their students while also delivering at scale. Our student program design

reflects that individuality, helps students develop and activate a career plan.

QUESTIONS AND INQUIRIES

For more information, please contact:

James Morrison

Vice President

Academic Institutions and Student Programs

Office: 617-395-9232 x103

Cell: 617-308-4241

Email: james@dreambridgepartners.com

Our programs can be adapted

and customized to fit your goals and audience

We look forward to partnering with you.

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