"Opened up new perspectives, gave me insight."
"I've been living an intercultural life, and now can talk about that life in meaningful ways."
"Faculty were experts in the field, yet knew how to communicate
to those of us just starting out—and they were totally accessible."
"I am now well prepared for new challenges in my work."
"Finally, I found my home—personally and professionally—thank you."
SIIC Participant
Session I: July 13-15, 2011

1a. Foundations of Intercultural Communication
Andy Reynolds and Donna Stringer



This workshop is a sophisticated introduction to concepts of intercultural communication and their application to a wide range of professional contexts.


  • Designed for
  • Objectives
  • Learning Activities
  • Andy Reynolds
  • Donna Stringer
Teachers, trainers, internal and external consultants, and others concerned with intercultural relations who have had little or no formal contact with the intercultural field.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
  • Examine the basic assumptions and issues of intercultural communication and cross-cultural human relations in both domestic and global contexts
  • Review basic intercultural topics, including perception, cultural patterns of thinking and behavior, styles of communication, assumptions and values, and cultural adaptation
  • Explore the ways in which an intercultural approach can be applied to their personal and professional lives, including corporate, educational, and other organizational contexts
  • Review resources available for further study of the subject
These will include:
  • Simulations and other experiential activities to demonstrate how cultural differences impact cross-cultural contacts
  • Video to illustrate concepts and provide case study applications
  • Short lecture and discussion to clarify concepts and applications
  • Reflection on the place of an interculturalist in professional endeavors
Andy Reynolds  
Andy Reynolds, president of Andy Reynolds & Associates, has more than two decades of experience consulting, teaching, and training in race and gender relations, workplace diversity, and customer service. Andy’s commitment and involvement in the business and education communities have resulted in his receiving a number of local and national leadership awards. He is also the vice president of Executive Diversity Services (EDS) and president of SIETAR USA.
Donna Stringer  
Dr. Donna M. Stringer is the Founder Emeritus of Executive Diversity Services (EDS), an organization development company specializing in cross-cultural issues, located in Seattle. A social psychologist with over 30 years’ experience as a manager, teacher, researcher, and writer, Donna specializes in cross-cultural instructional design, executive coaching, and work team interventions for organizations in the U.S., Asia, Latin America, and Europe. In addition to articles in the areas of diversity and inclusion, cross-cultural communication, gender differences, values, and organizational development, she recently authored two books, 52 Activities for Exploring Values Differences and 52 Activities for Improving Cross-Cultural Communication, as well as an article on preparing the next generation of diversity trainers for the 2007 Pfeiffer Annual Training Series.