Mind the Gap

The intercultural workshop for both expats and Dutch natives

Dutch read: Master the  Hidden  ‘Other’ Culture 

You may have already sensed this: the ‘right’ behavior, the one you learnt in your culture, can be interpreted as lack of competence in a Dutch context. Likewise, the use of just a ‘word’, which is positively meant in your culture, can often provoke unexpected but unpleasant reactions. But the reverse also holds for the Dutch dealing with a different culture too! Cross-cultural comparative research, (ours too), has demonstrated that not only key differences between cultures exist, but also that these are often incompatible and even conflicting!

We all think, behave and, most importantly, FEEL in ways our culture unnoticeably has shaped us.

But, you are no longer a child, nor innocent, so cannot spend years again exposing yourself only to environmental learning process, which this time, inevitably, entails unexpected and nasty surprises.

As the Dutch say:

If you don’t do it for yourself, 
nobody is going to do it for you
  • Are you an Expat? realise that you live in the Netherlands.
  • Are you a Dutch? think going on with the ‘other’

We help you in four interactive sessions

In these sessions we will dive into the following questions:

1. Do you think that views and values behind the ‘right person’ across-cultures are close to those you unoticeably have internilised by growing up in your  ówn’ primary culture and, mighty unconciously, always take for granted?
2. How do you motivate or persuade the ‘Other’ in private and work-situations? Do you consider his/her cultural values behind the ‘right’ person or the ‘right’ behavior. Are you sure you use arguments and adopt a style that works?
3. Are you confident with your  spontaneous explanations on what happens around you especially when dealing in a culturally unfamiliar context?
4. How do ‘I’ unlock my human potentials and advance my intercultural skills?

What really Dutch and Expats know from each other? They answered questions on simple daily-life ocassions. See here the Graphics of the Dutch-Expats answers in our recent survey.

During our workshos we demonstrate how and why variations in participant’s responses often correspond to cultural differences  luckily established with scientific research and also well organised for learning purposes. When useful, we also incude findings from own scientific publications with the Dutch as culture of reference.

For whom?

Expats and immigrants who want to:

Get the insight of what ‘works’ and what does NOT work  in a cultural context they operate.

Skillfully react and adapt behaviour to the demands of Dutch situations

Avoid frustration and uncomfortable feelings

Dutch natives who want the same when operating in ‘another’ cultural context

We take your cultural background into account

The content and the case-studies to be discussed during the workshop are tailored to the background of the participants. Please indicate in the Registration form the country you have been raised in.

Format

Each session runs for 120 min, including a break of 10-15 min. Case-studies are real-life stories or stories experienced by our participants. Think of a case that puzzled you too if you like.

You learn in a face2face interactive way in the context of your group.

In addition 30 minutes personal consultancy via Skype will be provided to each participant after concluding the workshop.

Time & Location

Sessions are regularly repeated and held weekly, usually on Friday evenings 19:00-21:00

Location: Amsterdam (to announced after Registration)

Contribution

€ 240 for the 4 sessions  (excl. 21% btw).

To express interest, please compleet our,

Registration form


Curious about impressions of past participants?

All participants are kindly asked to anonymously evaluate our workshops.

Read here their impressions and what they liked in our latest workshop:


Our recent video on everyday cultural misunderstandings: