Voices of Intercultural Perspectives
Story appeared in the 2014 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.
BY CELINA MASON, DIRECTOR OF RESIDENCE & STUDENT SUPPORT
In the 2013-14 school year, boarders represented eleven countries and eight different languages.
“We get to learn about different cultures and we all get to express our opinions. I hope to gain more knowledge of different countries as they do things differently than we do so we can understand each other better.”
Today’s QMS boarders are a connected community of students from all over the world.
Yet despite our differences, we seek the same: to be heard, to be under-stood; to be acknowledged and to be respected. Up to 93% of communication is non-verbal. When listening, true understanding is beyond hearing, is beyond seeing. It involves asking, learning, seeking and the desire to understand. From one culture to another, the simple act of looking into someone’s eyes can mean a difference between respect or disrespect, yes or no, connection or disconnection. In today’s world of electronic connection, how will we come to know and understand each other when standing face to face?
Our new VIP leadership team meets bi-weekly, usually around one common theme … food! Our time together involves learning from each other cultural differences and cultural similarities; to ask questions and to be heard. We are teaching and learning with each other. With courage and with respect we are contributing to each others understanding and perspectives. Our goal is to support and to build a solid team, so that we can support others when misunderstandings happen—in Residence, in our classrooms, in our hallways, in our own homes.
The VIP Leadership Team is represented by Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico City, the Middle East, Spain and Taiwan.