3 Unfiltered Lessons from Navigating International Spaces
Experiences of working in international education
After two decades of working in international education and global settings, I've taken a moment to reflect on my professional experiences. This journey has taught me three hard lessons that have shaped my path in the field of global education, and I hope the insights I gained will inspire others who are working in or considering careers in international education.
Lesson 1: Nobody Prepares You to Navigate International Spaces
One of the biggest surprises I encountered in my career was realizing that no one really prepares you for the complexities of working in international environments. When I started in culturally diverse settings, I didn't fully understand how my American perspective influenced my communication with colleagues from different backgrounds. Suddenly, I realized there needed to be more sharing of stories about the ups and downs of cross-cultural interactions. And that these stories, along with the good ones, help future leaders engage more effectively in global spaces. That's why I want to share not just my experiences but also the voices of others.
Lesson 2: Your Authentic Self May Not Always Be Wanted
The hard truth is that sometimes, your authentic self may not align with the cultural norms of your environment, and navigating international spaces often requires adjusting to cultural environments that may be different from your own. For example, I teach students from Mexico, Italy, and Japan about U.S. culture and society. To connect with my students, I adjust my humor, learning examples, and how I present information depending on the audience. What I find funny as an American might not resonate with my Japanese students, and that's perfectly okay. I realized these adjustments aren't about compromising authenticity but facilitating understanding and connection. Through my teaching, I help others explore different cultures, communicate effectively, and learn strategies for overcoming misunderstandings.
Lesson 3: Building Resilience Against Ignorance is a Needed Superpower
It's true that international spaces bring together diverse perspectives, but it can also bring about biases and misunderstandings. Building resilience against ignorance has become one of my greatest strengths. I've had moments that challenged my patience, like being told I wasn't a "true American" because of my skin color or having my hiring feedback questioned because my feedback differed from the interviewing teams'. These experiences taught me the value of a supportive network. Friends, mentors, and peers have been invaluable in helping me navigate these moments.
What the 3 Lessons Taught Me
The lessons I've gained from my experiences in international environments have fueled my passion for helping others navigate international spaces with confidence and resilience. They have also taught me to approach my life and work by embracing perspectives that challenge my own to create growth and deeper connections with others. And that sharing experiences validates others' journeys, educates them, and amplifies voices that are often unheard of.
If my story resonates with you or you're curious to learn more, I invite you to explore my training or share your story at www.urepabroad.com.
Great writing!
One of the most challenging aspects of my career was actually acclimating to an “American” workspace. For context, I’m an American, but I graduated college and almost immediately left the country to pursue my career.
I was able to experience my first 10 years of my “adult life” abroad and ended up struggling to learn who I was in the international setting. Not only that, it was so wildly different than what I imagined it to be and struggled coming to terms with what their work ethics and processes were. But I “adjusted” quickly (mentally struggled) and ended up adapting most of those practices for every job I had abroad.
Coming back to America, I actually completely had no idea what to do. I wasn’t prepared for how corporate functioned or how “teamwork” became “family”. I felt like “I’m not welcome” or that I am not “American” enough. I dunno how to explain it, but it’s been a challenge navigating.