Introduction Strategies
The student commentaries in How to Detect Cultural Differences discussed difficulties arising out of the typically short duration of student engineering teams’ visits to El Salvador, Nicaragua or Mexico (or similar countries). Short-term visits tend to make it difficult to build the trust and friendship that is necessary for cooperation on any project, especially assessments that involve questions of a more private nature, such as inquiries into children’s health problems and sanitation habits.
Strategies to overcome these types of barriers might include
- Having a local contact who knows the community well introduce you.
- Introduction of the group and its members prior to arrival by some means.
- Introductions of individuals based on topics important in the respective village’s culture (years of study, family tradition or occupation).
- Use of media in addition to words, such as pictures, audio tapes, posters that might be brought along on the trip (a small album of family photos, for example) or sent in advance with an NGO worker or trusted individual.
- Explanation of the time periods that your team can collaborate with the local people.
In addition, you will recall that when you introduce yourself to others on campus, you choose details about yourself that will be easily recognized by other people from your school: the name of the residential hall in which you live, your major, your hometown, the number of Spanish courses you have taken, or the number of trips you have taken with engineering outreach groups.
In a traditional society, other aspects of your background and experience may be much more important. Further, you may want to present these aspects in a different manner. Instead of a list of descriptors, you may want to tell a short story about your family, your interest in the country you’re visiting, your efforts to become an engineer, or your membership in Engineers without Borders or another engineering organization. You will need introductions both short and long for different occasions.
You also must be prepared to listen to other people’s introductions, which may also be long. If they are short, you may courteously respond, “I hope that you will tell me more about your (village/family/work/plans).” Being willing to listen is a way of demonstrating that you are someone worth knowing.
Local hosts will receive you more warmly if you can develop a relationship with them before visiting in person. TO show your openness to a trusting relationship, you can express a genuine interest, show an understanding of the local culture and history, or have a local contact to recommend you. Working over time with one community will allow you develop a deep and sustainable commitment to one another.
Introductions as well as farewells can be dramatized and used to communicate your intentions. Ceremonies are important in all cultures, but especially in traditionally structured societies. If other student teams have experience working in villages, you may learn about the kinds of celebrations they have observed. Who was included? Who spoke? Who received or gave gifts? What kind of music and food were there? You should also ask your local contact person what kinds of ceremonies are held for similar occasions. Then, plan an event that honors the officials whose hospitality made your project possible, the community members who worked with you, your local contact person, hosts, and new friends. Include the village as a whole in the activities if that is convenient. Inexpensive gifts such as balloons, bracelets,and so on can be widely distributed. Skits, songs, and written certificates with artistic designs or the signatures of all team members can demonstrate your appreciation and respect.If a team member plays a musical instrument, a solo in the community's honor might be appreciated. Speeches are low-cost but powerful if they are sincere. Personal visits to the homes also demonstrate respect and sincerity.
