Introduction - Reetta Kangas

Hello! My name is Reetta. I'm a 2nd year Social services student at Centria in Kokkola. 

I'm going on an exchange to Windesheim University of Applied Sciences. It's in Zwolle, The Netherlands. There is a Children and Media minor that I'm going to do. I'm very excited to see what studying is like in the Netherlands, and all the things the program will teach me.

 
I'm originally from Pyhäjoki but have lived in Kokkola since August 2016. Before that I lived in Ireland for 7 months, working as an Au pair. I have also spent two summers at Åland. I love adventures, and even though living far from home is scary, it's also very rewarding.

I hope to learn many things about children and media while I'm in The Netherlands. I chose a Drama and Improvisation course that I'm honestly dreading, but I hope it will teach me a lot. It's something that will take me far from my comfort zone. I'm also excited to learn more about myself and the Dutch culture, and of course I want to improve my English speaking skills.

Pre-assingnment for session on 13.12.2017 (Pre-departure training, part 2)

Dear students,

Welcome to the pre-departure training, part 2, on Wednesday 13.12 from 9:00-13:00 in Pauha 1.

We will focus in this session in the upcoming exchange. You will meet other students who have been studying abroad. We will seek to understand what intercultural development and global competence really is so that you can integrate and be effective in the new environment.
The material for the class can be found here: Pre-departure trainining material 13 December 2018

Pre-assignment for 13.12.2017

You have a pre-assignment related to the Development model of Intercultural Sensitivity. Please watch the video before hand, so you understand what it is all about, and do the assignment before class. We will go through the assignment in class.

You can, alongside, read this material "Strategies for developing intercultural competence" from R. Michael Page, Maximizing study abroad. (Found also in Optima).  

The video and material goes through the theory, stage by stage and gives examples.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSEJAZLMS64

Crosscultural Teaching -- Ethnocentrism and Ethnorelativism www.youtube.com This explains Bennett's stages of intercultural sensitivity.

To do before class:

1. Please reflect upon every stage of the intercultural sensitivity model. 

      What thoughts and reflections does a person have when she/he experiences something new from a cultural aspect, when she/he is in the a. denial stage, b. defense stage  c. minimization stage, d. acceptance stage, e. adaptation stage and e. integration? 
      Explain how a person feels, reacts or thinks in all the different stages, when experiencing a cultural difference.

2. In what stage are you, right now?

3. Why do we need to be culturally competent?

Write down notes for yourself, so that you can discuss the theory, the stages and your own perspective in class.

Learning objective: 

Understanding what intercultural sensitivity is and understanding the intercultural sensitivity model. 

Understanding the different stages.

Self-assessment and reflection of the different stages - recognizing in what stage you are in this model.

Understanding why intercultural competence and intercultural sensitivity is useful.

Introduction - Terhi Laitinen

Hello!
My name is Terhi Laitinen. I have been studying nursing for three years now. I study at Centria University of Applied Sciences.

It’s been my dream to go abroad for a long time and finally my dreams come true. I’m going to do my internship in Shanghai, China. It’s three months long and me and my 3 classmates will leave in spring 2018. I wanted to go to China, because the culture is so different than here in Finland.

I want to learn more Chinese nursing, culture, food, language and life. I’m so excited what this opportunity can give me. I think this will be very instructive experience. One of the biggest thing I want to learn is meet new people and develop my English.

Introduction: Susanna Leppänen

Hey everyone! 

My name is Susanna and I am 21 years old. I am originally from Toholampi.

I am 2nd year business student in Centria University of Applied Sciences in Kokkola. I have living here since 2013. I came to Kokkola to attend Business school. I gratuated in 2016 from Business school.

I am going to do my exchange studies in Czech Republic. The school is in the city of Plzeň (Pilsen). It is 90km far from Prague. I am so excited about this opportunity. This will be memorable moment in my life. 

I choosed to study abroad because I want to know the cultural differences in different countries and I want to feel how does it feels to study in unknown country with english as a primary language. Studying abroad helps a lot in improving language skills. We get to know a lot of new peoples and their traditions, lanugages, etc. I want to experience new teaching methodologies.

Introduction: Meri Mikkola

Hello! My name is Meri. I am 23 years old. I am studying nursing at centria university of applied sciences in kokkola. This is my 3rd year of studies. Originally i am from Kaustinen. I graduated as a practical nurse in 2013. After that i worked 2 years in homecare. I am going to do my intership in Belgium, vives university college. I am going to town called Kortrijk. I have always been very interested about other cultures, meeting new people and making friends all over the world. I also want to improve my language skills especially english but i would like to learn some dutch too. In Kortrijk dutch is the most spoken language.

Working abroad will be challenging but definitely an unforgettable experience. I have many reasons why i chose Belgium but biggest one is that i have some friends there already. Also destination is good and its easy to travel there to other countries. My friend told me France is so close so i can go by bike if i want to. :D I have been once before in belgium. Its small country but very varied. I am really waiting for my Erasmus experience!

Introduction: Laura Mustanoja

Hi!

 

My name is Laura Mustanoja and I’m studying nursing at Centria University of Applied Sciences. I’m currently doing my 3^rd year in studies. I see the internship abroad as a great opportunity that I want to use. 

 

I am going to do my internship in Shanghai, China. I am very interested in learning other countries’ cultures, especially in their healthcare systems. I want to improve my English and learn some Chinese. 

Introduction: Suvi Lankila

Hello! My name is Suvi and I am currently studying 3rd year in Nursing at Centria University of Applied Sciences in Kokkola. I am originally from Kalajoki and have lived in many places before moving in to Kokkola almost 3 years ago. I have graduated as an industrial furniture designer from Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences in 2013. I also did one semester of exchange studies at the University of Tasmania, Australia, in 2012. 

I will do a 3-month-long internship in Shanghai, China, in spring 2018. I chose to go abroad because I want to meet new people, improve my language skills and learn more about Chinese culture. China has strong roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine that I find extremely fascinating. I am also interested in experiencing the differences and similarities in Finnish and Chinese health care systems. Especially Acute Care, Emergency Department and Pediatric Care interest me a lot.