NOMADAS GLOBALES ARGENTINA

7 mil millones de habitantes! Y vos... con cuántos de ellos te sabes comunicar?

2011-11-16T13:35:00.001-03:00

Los esperamos en el próximo Taller Vivencial de Comunicación Intercultural el viernes 2 de Diciembre a las 17hs en Capital Federal. Exploraremos las diferencias culturales con el fin de adquirir herramientas clave para una comunicación intercultural efectiva.

Para reservar vacante, escribir a

Natalia_sarro@yahoo.com.ar contact@esthermarie-merz.com

Just landed in Buenos Aires? Land in our Expat Coffee Meetings in Palermo! November 29th - 7.00pm

2010-11-17T00:19:00.001-03:00

Are you a Newcomer in Buenos Aires?
If you are an expatriate, repatriate or international professional living/ working in Buenos Aires,
this is the right place for you.
In our 2nd year of continued work and upon request of our participants, Nómadas Globales Argentina is re-launching the Summer Expat Meetings in Palermo City, BA.

What makes Nómadas Globales Argentina´s Meetings different?
Whether you are an independent professional, expat executive, accompanying spouse or solo traveler, in our Meetings you´ll find the perfect place to extend your network within the expat community in BA, share global experiences with other like-minded foreigners in Buenos Aires and, above all, develop cross-cultural communication skills to improve your effectiveness living and working across cultures.

What topics are usually discussed in the Expat Coffee Meetings?
Each Month we meet in a trendy Coffee Place in Palermo to discuss, exchange and reflect on exciting topics that have a real impact in every expatriate´s life: how can foreigners adjust successfully to Argentine culture? How to communicate with Porteños? How to work and negotiate effectively with Argentines? What are the most useful strategies to overcome culture shock? among others.

Our 1st meeting will take place this Monday 29th November at 7.00pm in Palermo, being the initial topic: Strategies for a successful expatriate life in BA. Email us today to book your place!

As usual, the activity will be Moderated by Natalia Sarro, Argentine Psychologist, Cross-Cultural Trainer and Expat Coach - Founder of Nómadas Globales Argentina.

Email us today and book your seat for Monday November 29ths Expat Coffee Meeting: info@nomadasglobales.com.ar

A special discount applies if you come with a friend/ colleague!

Your Nómadas Globales Argentina Team

Struggling with your life abroad? Online Cross-Cultural Coaching: for expats and global nomads/ Coaching intercultural para expatriados y nómadas globales

2010-10-24T23:48:00.002-03:00

Dear Global Nomads!

If you are struggling with your global transition, suffering from culture shock or trying to find a new personal identity and career path after moving abroad, we can help.

We´d like to introduce our new services for the expatriate community in Argentina and all over the world:

CROSS-CULTURAL COACHING -online and face to face- for expatriates, re-patriates, accompanying spouses, international students and individuals planning a life, study or work experience abroad.

Feel free to contact us to arrange a first consultation: info@nomadasglobales.com.ar

We will publish more news, articles, and activities soon, to help you make your international transition enjoyable!

Nómadas Globales Argentina Team

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Queridos Nómadas Globales!

Si encuentran dificultades durante su mudanza internacional, sufriendo el impacto del shock cultural o en búsqueda de una nueva identidad personal y profesional en un nuevo país… podemos ayudarlos.

Hoy les presentamos nuestros nuevos servicios para la comunidad de expatriados en Argentina y el mundo:

COACHING INTERCULTURAL -online y presencial - dirigido a expatriados, esposas/os de expatriados, estudiantes internacionales e individuos planeando una experiencia personal, académica o laboral en el exterior.

Por favor contáctenos para coordinar una primer entrevista: info@nomadasglobales.com.ar

Pronto publicaremos más novedades, artículos y actividades para el desarrollo de su potencial durante su transición internacional!

El Equipo de Nómadas Globales Argentina

Pensar y sentir como Argentino.... según la mirada española

2010-10-07T22:42:00.001-03:00

Hola a todos!

El arduo trabajo de sensibilización cultural de Nómadas Globales Argentina llegó lejos, del otro lado del charco... acercándonos a la vez a nuestros colegas en tierras catalanas y españolas.

Hoy les compartimos un breve video con las imágenes del último Taller de Nómadas Globales Argentina, realizado en la hermosa ciudad de Barcelona (Catalunya, España) el pasado 10 de Septiembre.

Se trató de una jornada vivencial, participativa y altamente dinámica.
Con la presencia de 11 participantes de 7 nacionalidades, trabajamos el desarrollo de competencia intercultural, la formación de juicios, el desarraigo y el shock cultural, explorando el "ser argentino" y sus diferencias respecto de las culturas catalana y española.

Contamos con la co-coordinación de Dominika Hirsch - formadora Intercultural polaco-española de gran trayectoria, Directora de Dominika Hirsch International-

Agradecemos por su apoyo a SIETAR España (Society of Intercultural Education, Training and Research) - organización lider en formación intercultural perteneciente a SIETAR Global, red internacional que nuclea a más de 5000 interculturalistas alrededor del mundo.

Eres expatriado/a en España? ... expabílate entonces!

2010-08-04T23:47:00.003-03:00

Pocas situaciones son tan estresantes como el proceso de abandonar el pais de origen y adaptarse a un nuevo entorno. Mojados, inmigrantes, expatriados... La identidad del individuo en transición sufre una serie de profundas transformaciones que, a medida que lo separan de su pais de origen, lo acercan a un nuevo modo de estar en el mundo: el ser extranjero. Extranjero al idioma o al clima? Eso es apenas el comienzo.

En su nueva extranjeridad, el expatriado deberá comenzar a funcionar bajo nuevas normas, expectativas, escenarios, costumbres y hábitos que lo habitarán por primera vez. Y cada dia mas, ya que la nueva cultura ha llegado a la vida del extranjero para quedarse.. En más ocasiones de las esperadas, estos nuevos códigos culturales, valores y actitudes de los ciudadanos locales son percibidos negativamente por el extranjero, que no deja de repetir que "aqui las cosas se hacen exactamente al revés de como se deben hacer".... o el clásico:"allá esto no pasa"...

Antes de siquiera notarlo, el extranjero comenzará a dividir las aguas de lo correcto (los propios comportamientos) y las de lo incorrecto (el compartamiento de los otros, los diferentes, los de la otra orilla). Nadie le ha enseñado -ni al recién llegado ni al ciudadano local- cómo se hace para jugar con nuevas reglas, sin quebrarse ni romperse.

"Eres expatriado? .. expabílate entonces!", aconsejan algunos, sin mucha reflexión sobre el asunto. Aprende solo. Acostúmbrate a los golpes....

Entonces surge la pregunta...habrá otros modos posibles de expatriarse sin romperse ni quebrarse? Algunos autores han hablado de la resiliencia del expatriado, proceso por el cual el individuo en transición posee la habilidad de soportar crisis y adversidades, recuperarse, y subiendo aún mas la apuesta... es capaz de salir fortalecido a través de una experiencia de desarrollo y crecimiento personal. Crees que se trata de una utopia o de un nuevo campo de posibilidades?

Es posible anticiparse a los múltiples desafios de ser un extranjero en tierras lejanas? Qué se hace con la identidad en transición: me convierto en alguien más fuerte, o en alguien más vulnerable a las pérdidas, al stress migratorio y al shock cultural?

Si me toca trabajar o convivir con extranjeros, qué puedo hacer yo - ciudadano local- para comprender este extraño modo de ver la realidad del recién llegado - y los no tan recién llegados también - y a la vez enseñarle que mi modo es igual de válido?

Que piensas tú?

Estos interrogantes son los temas que nos han conducido -junto a mi colega Anna Zelno, Experta en Formación Intercultural- a organizar el próximo Taller de Comunicacion Intercultural en Valencia el miércoles 8 de Septiembre.
Nos proponemos ofrecer una jornada de aprendizaje vivencial en esta hermosa ciudad española, que facilite a personas expatriadas y autóctonas el desarrollo de competencia intercultural y de habilidades de comunicación efectiva con personas de otras culturas.

Nos encantaría escuchar tus opiniones, experiencias y "relatos resilientes" con el fin de nutrir nuestra comprensión de la vida del expatriado/a en general, especialmente la de aquellos que han elegido tierras Valencianas como su nuevo hogar.

Cuéntanos tu historia...! Escríbenos a info@nomadasglobales.com.ar

Argentinos en España? Los esperamos en Barcelona! "Pensar y Sentir como Argentino" - Taller Teórico práctico. Barcelona, 10 de Septiembre.

2010-07-29T15:40:00.001-03:00

Últimos días de Inscripción - TALLER VIVENCIAL DE VINCULOS INTERCULTURALES en BsAs - (6, 13, 20 Y 27 de Julio)

2010-06-25T01:40:00.002-03:00

OBJETIVO: ofrecer un espacio de transición, reflexión y aprendizaje a participantes de origen extranjero y argentino interesados en desarrollar creativamente competencia intercultural para su aplicación con fines personales y profesionales, haciendo foco en los procesos de cambio (propio o de colegas y/o familiares del participante) inherente a experiencias migratorias, de expatriación o repatriación entre diferentes regiones del territorio Argentino o del mundo.

DIRIGIDO A:

Universitarios y Profesionales:

• del Interior de la Argentina

• Inmigrantes, expatriados y viajeros

• Argentinos repatriados o en vías de expatriación

• Profesionales que poseen contacto frecuente con colegas/clientes/socios provenientes de otras culturas y/o desempeñan funciones en equipos de trabajo multiculturales

Y todos aquellos interesados en desarrollar creativamente competencias interculturales y de inmersión a nuevas culturas.

CONTENIDOS DEL TALLER:

• Los desafíos de la expatriación e inmigración hoy

• El impacto psicológico de la expatriación: identidad, desarraigo y shock cultural.

• El Otro y Uno mismo – “los de allá vs. “los de acá”

• Prejuicios y estereotipos: el “arte” de etiquetar – qué clase de observador soy?

• Desarrollo de competencia intercultural: trabajando con extranjeros

• La vuelta a casa: una nueva migración?

METODOLOGIA: Modalidad Taller. Grupos Reducidos. En base a la extensa formación y experiencia profesional del Equipo de Coordinación, se implementará una variedad de técnicas grupales (debate, simulación, role playing, actividades artísticas, entre otros) destinadas a generar redes de intercambio, aprendizaje y reflexión, así como la incorporación de estrategias de afrontamiento ante los desafíos de la experiencia migratoria/ de expatriación y la comunicación efectiva con personas provenientes de otras culturas. Partiendo de las bases de la creatividad y la tarea compartida con otros como motores fundamentales para la estructuración de la subjetividad, se promoverá en los participantes la exploración activa de recursos creativos que ampliarán su campo de comprensión y acción en entornos multiculturales, tanto a nivel personal como labora, dentro y fuera de su país de origen.

INICIO: martes 6 de julio de 2010

DURACIÓN: 5 encuentros

• 4 encuentros grupales: martes 6, 13, 20 y 27 de Julio de 19.00 a 21.00hs

• 1 entrevista de orientación individual con Lic. Sarro o Lic. Fernandez, para consultas sobre dificultades relacionadas con la propia experiencia intercultural (fecha a convenir con cada participante).

LUGAR: Casa Cisne – Av Corrientes 2092 – 4to Piso Capital Federal. (estación Callao – subte B).

EQUIPO DE COORDINACIÓN DEL TALLER:

Lic Natalia Sarro: Psicóloga Intercultural de Expatriados. Consultora en Capacitación Intercultural. En Nueva Zealanda: Ex Acompañante Terapéutico en Hospital Público de Wellington, NZ. En Alemania: Ex Selectora y Capacitadora de Personal Lufthansa (Frankfurt). Coordinadora de Programas Interculturales para Jóvenes en AFS Argentina. Fundadora de Nómada Globales Argentina – sitio web de Experiencias Interculturales para Expatriados, Repatriados y Nómadas Globales en Bs As, Arg. Actualmente coordina Programas de Inmersión Cultural para expatriados y de Capacitación Intercultural en empresas e instituciones educativas internacionales. En su consultorio privado, se desempeña como Psicoterapeuta trilingüe (alemán, inglés y español).

Lic Nelida Fernandez: Psicóloga holística (UBA-Málaga). Agente de Desarrollo Turístico en Cultura y Salud. Terapeuta de familia y pareja (CEFYP), Soc. Arg. de Terapia Familiar. Ex docente UBA Facultad de Filosofía, Psicología y Universidad de Lomas de Zamora. Coordinadora del gabinete pedagógico Ong ANSPAC ARGENTINA. Ex miembro de Asoc. Gestaltica de Bs.As. Ex docente y asistente Cátedra de Psicología Médica Hospital de Clínicas. España: Colaboradora "Médicos del Mundo". Málaga. Colaboradora de Málaga Acoge, área Asistencial. Actualmente dirige Casa del Plata y Casa Cisne: espacio de desarrollo personal y social para extranjeros y connacionales.

INVERSIÓN:

Para recibir información sobre aranceles, envíe un email a info@nomadasglobales.com.ar

Descuento para estudiantes Universitarios (deberá presentar comprobante de estudios en curso).

Consulte por descuentos para inscripción de grupos de 3 o más personas.

INSCRIPCIÓN:

Dado que los cupos son limitados, sugerimos efectuar su inscripción con la mayor anticipación posible. Para confirmar su asistencia, envíe un email a Info@nomadasglobales.com.ar

Le enviaremos un formulario de inscripción e instrucciones para el pago del arancel (éste deberá realizarse por adelantado para asegurar la reserva de su vacante).

Inscribirse al Taller

Buenos momentos con amigos: reseña del último Taller Vivencial de Comunicación Intercultural

2010-06-18T22:58:00.002-03:00

Te perdiste el último Taller Vivencial de Comunicación Intercultural del mes de Junio?

Aquí les compartimos imágenes y la historia "behind the scenes"!

El encuentro tuvo lugar el pasado miércoles 2 de Junio en las cálidas instalaciones de Casa del Plata/ Casa Cisne, el Centro Cultural de una querida colega Psicóloga y amiga argentino-española: Nélida Fernandez.

El público fue tan heterogéneo como sinérgico y comprometido con la tarea: 18 participantes, hombres y mujeres de diferentes edades, profesiones y orígenes: argentinos y extranjeros provenientes de España, Brasil y Alemania. El ensamble multicultural permitió a los participantes vivenciar en primera persona los desafíos de comunicarse efectivamente más allá de las diferencias culturales , en un clima de respeto, profesionalismo y aprendizaje.

Cómo lo hicimos?

A través de dinámicas grupales y debate, trabajamos con estudiantes y profesionales de diversas disciplinas en el desarrollo creativo de sensibilidad y competencia intercultural, apuntando a marcar una diferencia en la calidad de los vínculos personales y laborales con personas que pertenecen a un background cultural diferente al propio.

El Taller apuntó a abrir nuevas perspectivas y promover la creatividad en el desarrollo del vínculo otro - uno mismo, desterrando creencias obstaculizantes que impiden la comunicación efectiva.

Fueron nuestras lineas de abordaje:

los conceptos de primeras impresiones, estereotipos, prejuicios y modelos mentales

generar conciencia sobre los diversos estilos conversacionales de diferentes culturas y nacionalidades, y comprender su influencia en nuestra apertura/ rechazo a vincularnos con otros

construir grupalmente el concepto de ciudadano del mundo

Un especial reconocimiento a Juan Carlos Lucas y a mis colegas del Programa Hacer Historia de Fundación Argentina Futura, por su gran espiritu emprendedor y apoyo a la actividad!

Y gracias a los 18 participantes!
Para quienes expresaron su interés: Los esperamos en Julio para comenzar con el nuevo Taller de Vínculos Interculturales !
Inicia: martes el 6 de Julio: 5 encuentros
Coordinación. Lic Natalia Sarro y Lic Nelida Fernandez
Más información aquí
Para reservar vacante, contáctenos

"Los de allá" vs. "los de acá". Expatriados y Repatriados: Ser extranjero en Argentina.

2010-06-18T21:22:00.012-03:00

Los delata el acento, la vestimenta, y los sueños en un idioma incomprensible. Extienden la mano antes de ofrecer la mejilla. Son los que revuelven con la bombilla antes del primer sorbo de mate.

A los ojos del Argentino, se trata de “los de allá”, porque jamás pertenecerán al grupo privilegiado y seguro de “los de acá”.

Están por todos lados. Los encontramos en nuestras oficinas, universidades, clubes y escuelas. Caminan por nuestras calles y plazas, mirando la ciudad con ojos fascinados, atentos y hasta críticos.
Miremos este mapa....

Suena conocido? Quizá no, justamente porque son completamente ajenos a nuestro mundo.

Si bien reciben diferentes nombres y llegan de múltiples rincones del mundo que nada se parecen entre sí, a su llegada a nuestro país los espera el sello inconfundible de una identidad única y poderosa: todos se convertirán en... los extranjeros.

Simplemente, sapos de otro pozo. Se sentirán diferentes, distintos y hasta distantes. Los ciudadanos locales, por su lado, les harán el favor de confirmarles sus sospechas: los "nuevos" son y serán inevitablemente "los otros". Estos otros no solo representan la constante incertidumbre y la diferencia, sino que además obligan al ciudadano local a confrontarse con lo desconocido de sí. Acaso no todos tenemos un costado exiliado de nosotros mismos, del que nada queremos saber?

Pero… quiénes son exactamente los extranjeros? Veamos...

• Viajeros temporarios atraídos a la Argentina por una temporada de tango y fútbol, o por un amor argentino

• Diplomáticos y ejecutivos asignados a un traslado internacional

• Jóvenes profesionales que buscan en nuestro país sus primeras prácticas profesionales en un entorno multicultural

• Y hasta Argentinos repatriados que vuelven a un país diferente al de sus recuerdos, encontrándose con los ojos avejentados de padres que no vieron envejecer en los últimos años.

La lista sigue.

Por qué interesarse por el extranjero?

El extranjero atraviesa un período de transición entre culturas que multiplica sus dificultades de adaptación. La diferencia de lenguas y costumbres, así como el impacto de lo nuevo y diferente configura un escenario de incertidumbre que parece no tener fin: el shock cultural.

Quienes viven, estudian o trabajan con personas de otras realidades culturales también atraviesan un shock cultural allí donde se hace inevitable negociar, consensuar o compartir con alguien que "nada tiene que ver con nosotros". Se asemejan a un personaje de ficción del paradójico"Mundo del Revés" que nos susurraba hace algunas décadas la cantante argentina Maria Elena Walsh. Se espera que esa figura desconocida -sujeta a más prejucios y estereotipos que realidades medibles - se adapte y adopte el "único modo correcto de hacer las cosas": el nuestro, por supuesto....

Sin embargo, y contrario a lo que se supone, el ciudadano local tambíen tiene la responsabilidad de alojar y recibir. Simplemente porque la extranjeridad es compartida. Parafraseando a Julia Kristeva: “El extranjero empieza a emerger con la conciencia de mi diferencia y concluye cuando todos nos reconocemos como extranjeros”.

Rechazar o recibir? Esto dependerá del tipo de observador que somos. Es el otro una oportunidad única de aprender a mirar el mundo a través de otros ojos? O solo se trata de un vecino indeseable que jamás se va a parecer a la gente de mi bando?

Sin embargo, nuestra interacción con personas de otras culturas es una oportunidad inigualable de potenciar recursos creativos para la acción. Estos recursos se denominan competencias interculturales y amplian la perspectiva, multiplicando los matices en nuestra paleta de colores culturales. Nos hacen más humildes, y a la vez poderosos y concientes de las diversas formas que existen de percibir la realidad. Incluso nos hace más libres. Libera las ataduras que nos sujetan a un único modo posible de ver y hacer. Redefine el viejo mazo de cartas con el que nos tocó jugar a lo largo de nuestras vidas, enseñándonos que es posible jugar a otro juego y con otras reglas.

Ahora, es el turno de ustedes. Los dejo con algunos interrogantes:

En un mundo cada vez más diverso y globalizado, como comunicarse efectivamente con personas de otras culturas, haciendo de lo distinto un capital, y no una amenaza?

Cómo convertirnos en ciudadanos del mundo: flexibles, multifacéticos y capaces de enriquecernos con las diferencias?

Si alguna vez trabajaron con personas provenientes de otras culturas o si vivieron en el exterior, este es el momento de compartir su experiencia! Extranjero en Argentina? Argentinos repatriados? Alguna vez se sintieron verdaderamente diferentes?

_______

SUMATE A NUESTRO TALLER DE VINCULOS INTERCULTURALES!

ABIERTA LA INSCRIPCION - CUPOS LIMITADOS: inicia el Martes 6 de Julio - 5 encuentros

Arancelado. Reservas e informes: info@nomadasglobales.com.ar

Cel: 15 4536 6395

YO ARGENTINO... What makes an Argentine?

2010-06-04T20:04:00.001-03:00

Hola a todos!

En base a un artículo de Los Angeles Times, hoy compartimos con ustedes un video de BBC Mundo acerca de la idiosincrasia argentina, según la perspectiva de los mismísimos Argentinos en los dias de los Festejos del Bicentenario.

Qué características nos distinguen? Solo se trata del asado o el tango? Qué hay acerca de la nostalgia y la sensación de creerse especiales?

Qué opinás? Qué caracteristicas te hacen Argentino? O como extranjero, cuáles son los rasgos inconfundibles de un ciudadano de nuestras Pampas?

Escuchamos tus opiniones!

Taller teórico - vivencial: "COMUNICACIÓN EFECTIVA CON EXTRANJEROS: VIVIENDO ENTRE CULTURAS" - Miercoles 2 de Junio, 19hs - RESERVÁ TU VACANTE!

2010-05-28T22:39:00.001-03:00

2010-05-23T11:50:00.000-03:00

PARA PARTICIPAR DE LA ENCUESTA, HAGA CLICK EN UNO DE LOS SIGUIENTES LINKS DE ACUERDO A SU IDIOMA DE PREFERENCIA:

Encuesta en Inglés:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K7D8VHP

Encuesta en Español:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VSLWWHM

Encuesta en Portugués:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DFCJWBM

Ready for the next Workshop? "BEING GRINGO: Challenges of expatriate life in Buenos Aires" - Monday 17th May. Limited seats.

2010-05-12T20:30:00.001-03:00

Nómadas Globales Argentina, Argentine-based Consulting firm specialized in Intercultural Training, offers Cross-cultural training and coffee sessions in Palermo every week, alternating between Spanish and English sessions to promote inclusion of both Spanish- and English-speaking professionals, language teachers, students and travelers from different nationalities and industries.

From a dynamic and innovative perspective that combines theory and practice (simulations, role playing, case studies etc), our next Cross-cultural workshop (in English) will focus on Challenges of expatriate life in Buenos Aires.

We will cover the following topics:

o Explore the concept of expatriation.

o Identify behavioral, emotional and social challenges of expatriates when immersing in a new culture.

o Explore specific challenges of foreign expatriates living in Buenos Aires and Argentine individuals planning to relocate abroad

o Develop effective strategies to cope with cross- cultural differences and Argentine life and workstyle.

Day: Monday 17th May, 6.30pm

Length: 2 hours

Place: Café Lopez. Scalabrini Ortiz 2401. Corner of Güemes – 1st Floor. Palermo

Attendance fee: 40 Ar$/ person - If you book 2 seats (you and a colleague/ friend): 70 Ar$/both

Speaker and Moderator: Lic Natalia Sarro.

• Argentine Psychologist & Intercultural Trainer

• Founder of Nómadas Globales Argentina

• Coordinator of Cultural immersion, pre-departure and arrival orientation programs for global executives and international students.

• Bilingual Therapist of Spanish and English-speaking patients.

Limited seats. Please confirm attendance via email ASAP at info@nomadasglobales.com.ar

Feel free to forward this invitation to friends and colleagues!

NEW: Cross-cultural Coaching for expatriates in Bs As/ NOVEDADES: Coaching Intercultural para Expatriados en BsAs

2010-05-06T18:51:00.000-03:00

CÓMO COMUNICARSE EFECTIVAMENTE CON OTRAS CULTURAS? - Lunes 10 Mayo, Palermo - 1er Ciclo de Talleres de Capacitación Intercultural (en español) - VACANTES LIMITADAS

2010-05-05T15:32:00.001-03:00

Talleres de Capacitación Intercultural

Recordás la última vez que te comunicaste con otras personas en un idioma extranjero? …

…O que un amigo o colega extranjero con un pobre nivel de español intentó comunicarse con vos? Cómo te sentiste? De qué modo te percibía tu interlocutor?

Cuando nos mudamos a otro país para vivir una experiencia intercultural, los desafíos son múltiples. Cuando nos toca trabajar con colegas de otras culturas en nuestro propio país, también.

Aprender a hablar un idioma extranjero es solo la punta del iceberg. No alcanza! Además de ello, es necesario desarrollar un grupo de habilidades de comunicación que potencien nuestras posibilidades de escuchar efectivamente, comprender y hacernos comprender más allá de las dificultades lingüísticas y diferencias culturales, resolviendo conflictos y evitando malos entendidos derivados de prácticas deficientes. Estas habilidades comunicacionales forman parte de lo que los autores denominan competencias interculturales.

Sin competencias interculturales efectivas, nuestros vínculos y desempeño laboral y académico internacional estará gravemente en riesgo, impedidos de enriquecer nuestras interacciones y lograr los resultados que deseamos alcanzar en entornos multiculturales.

Nómadas Globales Argentina, consultora argentina especializada en capacitación intercultural, organiza un nuevo encuentro en el marco del Ciclo de Talleres de Capacitación Intercultural en Buenos Aires (en español).

Desde una dinámica teórico-práctica de estilo taller, el objetivo del próximo encuentro es abordar un aspecto innovador e infaltable en la agenda de capacitación de quienes trabajamos o vivimos entre culturas: prácticas efectivas de comunicación intercultural

Dirigido a:

• Profesionales y estudiantes argentinos y extranjeros en preparación para una mudanza internacional

• Profesionales y estudiantes argentinos y extranjeros desempeñando tareas en equipos de trabajo internacionales, en modalidad virtual o presencial

• Profesionales interesados en maximizar los beneficios de la diversidad cultural en sus ambientes de trabajo

• Todos aquellos interesados en adquirir habilidades efectivas de comunicación entre culturas

COMO, DONDE Y CUANDO?

• Día: Lunes 10 de Mayo, 18.30hs

• Duración: 2hs 30 min.

• Lugar: Café Lopez. Scalabrini Ortiz 2401. Palermo

• Arancel: 40Ar$/persona

Reservando 2 vacantes: 70Ar$/ ambas

• Presentación y coordinación del Taller: Lic Natalia Sarro.

- Psicóloga y Consultora Intercultural.

- Fundadora de Nómadas Globales Argentina - Consultoría en capacitación intercultural. Bs As, Argentina.

- Coordinadora de Programas de inmersión y capacitación intercultural a ejecutivos y estudiantes internacionales.

- Terapeuta bilingüe de pacientes extranjeros.

Vacantes limitadas. Requiere inscripción via email a info@nomadasglobales.com.ar

NOS VEMOS!

Monday 9th May, 6.30pm - BUENOS AIRES GOES MULTICULTURAL - How much do you know about multicultural teams? Join us!

2010-04-27T22:04:00.005-03:00

Limited seats. Please confirm attendance via email ASAP at info@nomadasglobales.com.ar

Day: Monday 3rd May, 6.30pm
Length: 2 hours 30 minutes
Place: Café Lopez. Scalabrini Ortiz 2401. Corner of Güemes – 1st Floor. Palermo
Attendance fee: 40 Ar$/ person.
If you book 2 seats (you and a colleague/ friend): 70 Ar$/both

_________________________

Nómadas Globales Argentina, Argentine-based Consulting firm specialized in Intercultural Training, offers Cross-cultural training and coffee sessions in Palermo every week, alternating between Spanish and English sessions to promote cultural learning among Spanish- and English-speaking professionals from different nationalities and industries.

From a dynamic perspective that combines theory and practice, our next workshop (in English) focuses on:

• Raise awareness on the impact of culture on our perception of reality, our decisions and behaviors, both on a personal and professional level

• Identify essential differences among a variety of business practices across cultures, focusing on the Argentine workstyle and possible difficulties when working with Argentines

• Raise awareness on hidden stereotypes and judgments about our own cultural background and other cultural groups that impact negatively on effective communication across cultures

• Develop listening and conversational skills to resolve conflicts in multicultural settings

Speaker and Moderator: Lic Natalia Sarro

• Argentine Psychologist & Intercultural Trainer

• Founder of Nómadas Globales Argentina

• Coordinator of Cultural immersion, pre-departure and arrival orientation programs for global executives and international students.

• Bilingual Therapist of Spanish and English-speaking patients.

______________________________________

Why taking an intercultural training in Buenos Aires?

Times change. And our challenges as global professionals change with them.

Today it is not uncommon to hear multiple languages and accents around the streets of Buenos Aires.

While the nostalgic Italian or Spanish Accent of our European ancestors is part of the past, today an increasing number of qualified foreigners, mainly Europeans and North-americans, find in Argentina their new home: a good place to live, study or work and develop their international careers.

So Argentine- based organizations are now incorporating new voices and nationalities to their workforces, bringing a multicultural flavor to their teams.

As professionals interacting with foreign colleagues, clients, partners and managers, we need to explore new ways of connecting across cultural boundaries.

How can we take advantage of cultural differences in workplace and use them to improve effectiveness of our teams?

JOIN US!

Lunes 26/04: Taller de Capacitación Intercultural (en español): "Equipos de Trabajo Multiculturales: relaciones efectivas más allá de las diferencias" - Abierta la inscripción

2010-04-21T18:18:00.004-03:00

Por que un taller de capacitación intercultural?

Los tiempos cambian. Y nuestros desafíos como profesionales también.

Impensado hasta hace algunas décadas, hoy no es extraño escuchar un crisol de múltiples lenguas por las calles de Buenos Aires.

Ya no se trata únicamente del nostálgico acento italiano y español de nuestros abuelos inmigrados, sino de un nuevo segmento de extranjeros calificados, mayormente europeos y norteamericanos, que encuentran en Argentina su nuevo lugar de residencia y trabajo.

El número de expatriados transferidos por compañías multinacionales a sus oficinas en Buenos Aires crece exponencialmente, y con él nuestro desafío de incorporar nuevas prácticas inclusivas de la diversidad cultural en nuestras organizaciones globales.

Cómo podemos lograr que las diferencias culturales generen un valor agregado a nuestra organizaciones y a nuestros equipos de trabajo?

Nómadas Globales Argentina, consultora argentina especializada en capacitación intercultural, propone el 1er Ciclo de Talleres de Capacitación Intercultural en Buenos Aires (en español).

Desde una dinámica teórico-práctica de estilo taller, el objetivo del primer encuentro es:

- generar conciencia acerca del impacto de la cultura en nuestra percepción de la realidad, así como en nuestras decisiones y comportamientos, en el ámbito personal y de negocios.

- reconocer prácticas de negocios y estilos de trabajo vinculados a nuestro estilo cultural argentino

- identificar prácticas de negocios de colegas extranjeros, reinterpretándolas a la luz de los valores y normas culturales del país de origen y influencia del expatriado

- desarrollar habilidades de escucha y resolución de conflictos en el ámbito laboral que surgen como producto de nuestros modos culturales diversos - y a la vez únicos- de percibir la realidad

- utilizar la riqueza de la diversidad cultural en los equipos de trabajos multiculturales como un valor agregado a su efectividad, y no como un obstáculo al ejercicio de buenas prácticas

Dia: Lunes 26 de Abril, 18.30hs

Duración: 2hs 30 min.

Lugar: Café Lopez. Scalabrini Ortiz 2401. Palermo

Costo de asistencia: 40Ar$/persona
Reservando 2 vacantes: 70Ar$/ ambas

Presentación y coordinación del Taller: Lic Natalia Sarro.

Psicóloga y Consultora Intercultural.
Fundadora de Nómadas Globales Argentina - Consultoría en capacitación intercultural. Bs As, Argentina.
Coordinadora de Programas de inmersión y capacitación intercultural a ejecutivos y estudiantes internacionales.
Terapeuta bilingüe de pacientes extranjeros.

Vacantes limitadas. Confirmar asistencia via email a info@nomadasglobales.com.ar o nomadasglobales@gmail.com

Why cross-cultural training? Learning to look at the Argentines closer

2010-04-13T21:09:00.003-03:00

Many Argentines and expats living in Argentina are curious about our Weekly Cross-Cultural Training & Coffee Sessions in Palermo. They often ask us “What is this whole cross-cultural training thing about? Are you a Meet & chat group? Do you practise English with foreigners?” The answer is no… what we do is something totally different. That´s basically because we work with diversity.

So, to be able to explain you what we do, let´s start talking about yourself. Touchy topic, right? Take it easy. The journey is simply amazing, trust us.

Culture has a significant impact in everything you do: how you behave, how you perceive reality, yourself and others, what you consider right or wrong, or even what you find ugly or beautiful. You, as everybody else, are influenced by multiple cultural elements: the place where you were born and raised, the books you read, the religion you follow, the school you attended, among others. One of the most important influences in who you are is… your national culture. It is not the same whether you grew up in Argentina, Germany or China. And it´s definitely not the same if you spent your childhood years in Spain, US or India.

Thank God it´s not the same!... Being diverse is what makes us rich.

Learning the Argentine way

If you are Argentino or live or work with Argentines, then you need to ask yourself an essential question: Do you really know how Argentines think, feel and perceive reality? What is important to them? What do they fear, enjoy, respect or admire? Have you ever wondered why sometimes you see their habits and behaviors as awkward or illogical?

As any other culture, Argentinos have their own system of cultural preferences, values and beliefs. Through years and years, they lived in the same geographical region, developed common habits and learnt to solve problems in a similar way. Their cultural response to reality is what makes them unique and different from other groups. We are unable to perceive those common values, beliefs and cultural responses at first sight. We only have access to the results at an observable level (how they dress up, what food they eat, how they communicate with each other etc). But we would be too naive if we thought that we can easily explain the Argentine world - or any other cultural world- based on simple, first-sight observations of their reality.

Look closer.

The roots that explain Argentines´ observable reality remain untouched below the surface. You need to get involved with your own roots first, and with other people´s roots later, to be able to explain what motivates you and them to behave how you behave, and why you prefer to choose certain ways of solving problems, instead of others. Culture is about finding local solutions to universal problems every human being has.
Isn´t that simply amazing?

By learning to identify your own cultural orientation and your Argentine friends/colleagues/ Managers´s cultural background, you´ll be able to understand:

1- what motivates your behaviors and decisions

2- what motivates other people´s behaviors and decisions

3- how to bridge the gap across cultures and differences, and improve your relationship with people from other cultures.

As you see, if you live in this world, developing cross-cultural skills is an everyday need! This is what brought us to create our Weekly Tranings in Palermo.

And what can you expect from a cross-cultural training session? By developing cross-cultural awareness, you will learn to:

Practice empathy: be able to see the world as other people see it! People prefer to work with those who are able to switch perspectives and perceive the world from different viewpoints.

Respect others: learn to tolerate what is different or unknown is a valuable attitude for effective communicators. Have you ever realized that YOU are also a “stranger” or “different” from other people´s perspective?

Tolerate ambiguity: intercultural situations are usually ambiguous and uncertain. This causes stress and frustration. Cross the bridge...get involved!

Avoid being judgmental: we tend naturally to use our own frames of reference to evaluate people´s behaviors. This leads to misunderstandings!

Become a global citizen: we are all world nomads, crossing cultures every day, always in transition. We are foreigners in our own world. Are you learning to be a global nomad?

So, now it´s time to answer the question: Our Cross-cultural training and coffee sessions are an innovative, interactive and practical method of exploring Argentina´s culture and values and developing effective cross-cultural strategies to adapt successfully to living and working in Argentina. In our sessions, participants (both Argentines and extranjeros) learn about Porteños mentality, challenges of living as a foreigner in BsAs and cultural differences between Argentina and other cultures represented in Buenos Aires. They share their personal and work experiences in Argentina, and help each other find possible strategies to cross cultural bridges.All in a relaxed and informal atmosphere – el Café Porteño!

Look closer. Join us.

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Does "SI" mean "YES" in Argentina?

2010-04-02T22:44:00.001-03:00

When I deliver intercultural trainings, my audience (travelers, expats and international students living in Buenos Aires) usually show a special interest in sharing their experiences on first interactions with Argentinos. A few of them are funny tales and stories of success, but many are chronicles of frustrating encounters, where communicating effectively with Porteños feels like trying to complete a 1000-piece puzzle and always missing the last piece. Expats claim that there is a kind of magic force preventing them from connecting with their Porteños collegues, flatmates or partners.

So why is that?

Sometimes it is the lack of motivation to mix with Porteños that leads to failed interactions. In other cases, Spanish still sounds like Mandarin Chinese to many NewComers who struggle with the local accent and the fast-speaking style of Porteños.

But when the motivation is there, and they have learnt to say more than “Si, gracias” in Spanish and “Qué Buena onda” in Lunfardo´s Buenos Aires slang, there is one more box to consider in BA expats´ checklist: communication style.

A frequent complaint is that locals "just don’t know how to answer a question straight to the point". Is it because all Porteños have suddenly lost their train of thought? Well, some of them possibly, but ... everyone?

Others moan that Porteños usually don´t say what they really mean. Does "Sí" mean "Yes" in Argentina? Or Spanish rules changed and “Sí” now means “Maybe not, but I won´t tell you that”?

The challenge is a bit more profound, and way more interesting to explore!

Cultures differ significantly on many dimensions, being one of the most important ones the level of directness and indirectness. Differences between these two poles account for a large number of cross-cultural misunderstandings.

According to Edward Hall, one of the most respected US Anthropologists and Cross-Cultural Researchers, cultures can have high-context and low context communication patterns.

In a low context culture (such as USA or Germany), communication tends to be direct. Most of the information is in the words and there is no need to read between lines. People say what they mean and they mean what they say.

On the other hand, in high-context cultures (such as Japan, Southeast Asia or China) most information is transmitted indirectly. It is usually implicit in the physical context (such as body language), while very little is contained in the verbal, explicit message. If telling the truth threatens harmony, then the truth should be adjusted or disguised. Preserving relationships and avoiding loss of face are main concerns. So if you forget to read between lines, you will be missing the largest portion of the message of your indirect counterpart.

And last but not least - what kind of communication patterns do YOU have?

I look forward to your thoughts!

_______________________________________

Join our Presentation & Training session on

"Effective communication with Porteños"

Next Friday 9th April - 6.30pm: Intercultural Coffee Meetings for Expats and Argentinos in BA

Limited seats. Book your place: nomadasglobales@gmail.com

IF YOU CAN´T MAKE IT ON FRIDAYS, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO JOIN US… Tuesday 30th March: "How much do you know about Lunfardo Porteño?"

2010-03-27T09:34:00.000-03:00

IF YOU CAN´T MAKE IT ON FRIDAYS, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO JOIN US…

DUE TO EASTER WEEK (PASCUAS)….THIS TIME WE´LL MEET ON A TUESDAY!

- Book your seat -

TE INVITAMOS!

Intercultural Coffee Meetings for Foreigners & Argentinos in Buenos Aires

"How much do you know about Lunfardo Porteño?”
Tuesday 30th March, 6.30pm

Palermo, Buenos Aires
More info: www.nomadasglobales.blogspot.com

__________________________________________________________________

Nómadas Globales Argentina organizes Weekly Intercultural Coffee Meetings for the community of travelers, expatriates and international students living in Buenos Aires.

If you are a foreigner or ciudadano argentino and you are interested in exploring and understanding cultural differences, this is your place!

Next Meeting: "How much do you know about Lunfardo Porteño?”

Tuesday 30th March, 6.30pm

Café Lopez. Scalabrini Ortiz 2401 (corner of Güemes). 1 block away from Scalabrini Ortiz station– subway D. Palermo. Bs As.

Pre-booking required. To confirm attendance, send us an email today: nomadasglobales@gmail.com

Spanish language and Porteños identity go hand in hand!

Whether you are a Porteño or a foreigner trying to make of BA your new home, learning Lunfardo (Porteños slang) is almost a condition to better understand BA locals identity and improve your own communication skills!
In our next Coffee meeting, we (Argies and expats) will explore together Lunfardos main words and expressions - through fun learning activities! Where does Lunfardo come from? What expressions do you need to know? How to realize in which context you can use each expression?

Attendance fee is of 40 Ar$/person.

If you come with a friend, 70 Ar$ for both.

If you book 3 meetings in advance, 100 Ar$/ person!

Limited seats available. Pre-booking is required.
To confirm attendance, please send an email to nomadasglobales@gmail.com

___________________________________________

Let´s go global!

Dynamic training session and fun & innovative group activities (role playing, simulation, exercises and lively discussion)
Hosted by Natalia Sarro (Argentine Intercultural Trainer & Psychologist), we learn and discuss about Porteños mentality, challenges of living as a foreigner in BsAs and cultural differences between Argentina and other cultures represented in Buenos Aires.
We offer you a space to learn, share your experiences, have fun and meet other locals and foreigners, all in a relaxed and informal atmosphere – el Café Porteño!
We enjoy working in small groups. Topics change every week.
Only requirement: possess an intermediate level of English – as the Meeting is held entirely in English language.

SEE YOU ON TUESDAY!

Figuring out how to work with Argentines…. PART 1!

2010-03-15T18:20:00.001-03:00

Below you´ll find pics of our last Friday 12th March´s Get together in Café Lopez. As usual, we meet every week in Palermo to share our knowledge and experiences on a variety of intercultural related topics. This time we focused on a “clásico”: Working and Doing business with Argentines Part 1.

We started the session with a round of introductions to get to know each other: at least 7 different nationalities coming from Latin American, European and North American countries were represented in the group of 11 participants - making the encounter rich in diversity and multiple perspectives!

In this pic, from left to right: Jed (US), Robert (Arg/UK), Kathy (Belgium), Flor (Honduras), Daniel (Arg), Kris (Arg), Menko (Paraguay/ Germany) and Madi (US).

We continued with a presentation on the concept of Culture. Why is culture important? How does it influence our behaviors and decisions? And why should we be aware of our cultural orientations when we interact with people from other nationalities?

After a bit of theory, the action started!

In small groups, we discussed and tried to clarify some typical cross-cultural misunderstandings taking place in different business settings between Argentines and employees/ managers from other cultures. Where is the misunderstanding? How does our cultural background lead us to misinterpret Argentines or to be misinterpreted by Argentines?

We had to fine tune our senses to figure out behaviors, actions, underlying values and beliefs of people coming from different cultures. Some of the questions we managed to answer were: How do Argentines deal with uncertainty at workplace? How do Argentines relate to their Managers? And how does this differ from relationships between Managers and subordinates in other cultures?

To close the training session, each participant had the chance to fill up a personalized questionnaire to get to know their own cultural orientations better.

So whether you came to this meeting or not, everyone is invited to join next week´s session to keep the discussion ALIVE....

-----------------------

Join US! Friday 19th March, 6.30pm - Café Lopez, Palermo.

TOPIC: "Working & Doing Business with Argentines"

- Relationships at workplace

- How do we deal with time and space across cultures?

- Why is harmony and saving face so important in Argentine business culture?

Doing business in Argentina: How do we deal with cross-cultural misunderstandigs at workplace?

2010-03-09T09:21:00.003-03:00

Globalization multiplies our opportunities of interaction with clients, colleagues and managers living outside of Argentina who know little about el “asado del domingo”, the Argentine dulce de leche or the “viveza criolla”.

As Argentine professionals or expats working in Buenos Aires, we face frequently the challenge of working as part of multicultural teams.

Let´s imagine different scenarios.

An European Manager was just transferred to the company´s offices in Buenos to lead a team. Or we report to a Regional Vice-President in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Or our company sends us periodically to negoiate contract with Asian clients.

Each of these interactions across cultural boundaries confirms that the way of measuring professional success, the importance of business relationships and the concept of time management at workplace, among other variables, are far from being universally valid.

On the other hand, these elements depend more on cultural related contingencies than what we can imagine.

Consequently, Argentine professionals and expats intending to work or do business in Argentina need to give serious thoughts to those questions that our European neighbors –in their melting pot - have been asking themselves for many decades now.

How to deal with possible disagreements and cross-cultural misunderstandings at workplace? What role does the Argentine idiosyncrasy play in our performance and well being in business settings?

Following the contributions of worldwide renown Interculturalists, such as Gert Hofstede, we know that, when doing business with partners coming from other cultures, we could go down a wrong path if we base our decisions merely on cultural practices from our home country. We need to become aware of the cultural glasses that color our worldview.

Therefore, it is as essential to identify our own values, attitudes and communication style, as much as exploring cultural preferences of our business counterparts.

Call me "Licenciado"

To apprehend the real impact of cultural differences, let´s think together about the following situation.

In business environments, should I report each of my decisions to my superior? Or only when there is a specific issue that needs to be solved? Is it expectable to treat my Manager as an equal and feel free to express disagreement? Or should I follow rules and orders without questioning? This issue sheds light on the concept of Hierarchy across cultures.

Here is an example of cross-cultural misunderstanding based on the way we define hierarchy.

In Argentine-based organizations, titles (such as “Doctor” or “Licenciado”) and rank in chain of command are synonyms of power and authority, and they must be respected as such. On the other hand, US culture considers equality and egalitarianism as highly regarded values. So US based organizations tend to be less hierarchical and expect less power distance between employees and Managers.

Le´ts take now this national differences to a cross-cultural management scenario in a multinational company.

How could a US Manager perceive an Argentine employee who doesn´t feel comfortable discussing and sharing freely his point of view with superiors?
And the other way around…

How do you think that an US employee can be perceived by an Argentine Manager if, “forgetting” his lower rank in the organization, the US employee insists on questioning decisions made by his superiors?

Developing intercultural competencies

Intercultural Training is an innovative solution that addresses the needs of Argentine organizations and foreign companies doing business with Argentina, who envision the importance of training their work teams to face the challenges of international assignments.

Intercultural Training programs helps us determine our cultural preferences and compare them with those of our foreign business partners we interact with on a daily basis.
Only by becoming aware of these differences, we will be able to bridge cultural gaps, wear the shoes of our foreign counterparts and interact more effectively with their needs, wishes and concerns.

Beyond the concept of hierarchy, intercultural training focuses on developing intercultural competencies to improve our business and personal performance in a wide variety of aspects.
To mention a few examples:

Group dependence: Do I depend on resources of others? Or do I tend to rely on my own strength and knowledge?

Diversity receptivity: Do I prefer to be around people different or similar to me at workplace?

Status attainment: How do I measure success? Through accomplishing professional goals? Or by having fulfilling relationships with family and friends?

What other elements would you add to the list?

What other topics could cause cross-cultural misunderstanding in a multicultural work team?

Do you have any experiences to share? How did you bridge cultural differences?

_______________________

If you want to learn more about this topic, join our Presentation on "Working and Doing Business with Argentines" - Next Intercultural Coffee Meeting for Expats and Argentinos.

Friday 12th March, 6.30pm in Palermo.

Limited seats.

To confirm attendance, please send an email to nomadasglobales@gmail.com

Haciendo negocios en Argentina: Cómo lidiamos los argentinos con los malos entendidos culturales?

2010-03-08T20:42:00.007-03:00

A una velocidad casi impensada, la globalización multiplica diariamente nuestras oportunidades de interactuar con clientes, colegas y jefes radicados fuera de la Argentina y que poco saben del asado del domingo, el dulce de leche y la viveza criolla.

Como profesionales argentinos, nos enfrentamos cada vez con mayor frecuencia al trabajo conjunto con equipos multiculturales.

Ya sea porque un gerente europeo acaba de incorporarse a nuestro grupo de trabajo en Buenos Aires.

O porque reportamos a un jefe regional ubicado en San Pablo.

O bien porque nuestra empresa nos envía periódicamente a negociar contratos con clientes asiáticos. Cualquiera sea el caso, en cada una de estas interacciones con otras culturas comprobamos que el modo de medir el éxito profesional, la importancia de los vínculos laborales y el manejo del tiempo en la oficina, entre otras variables, están lejos de ser universales.

Por el contrario, estos elementos dependen en mayor medida de la contingencia cultural de lo que podemos imaginar.

Habida cuenta de esta realidad, los argentinos necesitamos comenzar a preguntarnos más seriamente por aquello que nuestros vecinos europeos -en su crisol de razas y etnias- se preguntan hace décadas.

Cómo lidiar con los posibles desacuerdos y malos entendidos que surgen debido a las diferencias culturales? Y como influye nuestra idiosincrasia argentina en el desempeño y bienestar en nuestro lugar de trabajo?

Gracias al aporte de especialistas en Interculturalidad como Gert Hofstede, sabemos que si hacemos negocios con socios provenientes de diferentes culturas y tomamos decisiones basadas en el modelo de operatoria al que estamos acostumbrados en nuestro país de origen, nos arriesgamos a tomar decisiones equivocadas. Por lo tanto, a la hora de poner el foco en nuestro desempeño internacional, es tan esencial comprender nuestros propios valores, actitudes y estilos de comunicación tanto como lo es explorar las preferencias de nuestros colegas extranjeros.

Dígame "Licenciado"

Para comprender el alcance de las diferencias culturales, pensemos juntos este escenario.

En el ambiente de negocios, debo reportar cada una de mis decisiones a mi superior o solo cuando exista un problema concreto? Es esperable tratar de igual a igual a un Jefe y exponer libremente mis desacuerdos? O debo acatar órdenes sin cuestionamientos? Este interrogante alude al concepto de Jerarquia.

Tomemos un claro ejemplo de malentendido cultural en relación a la jerarquía.

En organizaciones argentinas, los títulos (como "Doctor" o "Licenciado") y rango ocupado en la cadena de mando son sinónimos de autoridad y poder, y como tal deben ser respetados. Por el contrario, en culturas como la norteamericana, donde la equidad e igualdad son valores altamente preciados, las organizaciones son menos jerárquicas y suelen esperar que sus empleados desplieguen menor distancia respecto de sus superiores.

Llevemos estas diferencias nacionales al vínculo empleado argentino - jefe norteamericano de una empresa multinacional.

Cómo podría percibir un jefe norteamericano a un empleado argentino que no se siente cómodo debatiendo y compartiendo libremente su punto de vista?

Y al revés... Qué podría pensar un gerente argentino de un empleado norteamericano que insiste, desfachatadamente, en cuestionar las decisiones tomadas por sus superiores?

Desarrollando competencias interculturales

El training intercultural es un servicio innovador que cubre la creciente necesidad de las organizaciones argentinas de entrenar a sus equipos en el proceso de expansión hacia horizontes internacionales. Gracias a los programas de capacitación intercultural, podemos determinar cuáles son nuestras preferencias culturales y compararlas con las de aquellos colegas extranjeros con quienes interactuamos diariamente. Solo identificando las diferencias, podemos tender puentes que nos permitan leer la realidad desde los zapatos de nuestros socios lejanos e interactuar más efectivamente con sus necesidades, deseos e inquietudes.

Además del concepto de jerarquía, el training intercultural aborda un sinfin de aspectos esenciales que nos permiten desarrollar competencias interculturales. Por mencionar algunos:

- Dependencia grupal: Dependo de los recursos de otros? O me siento más cómodo confiando en mis propias fortalezas y conocimientos?

- Receptividad a la diversidad: Es preferible estar rodeado por personas diferentes o semejantes a mí mismo en mi lugar de trabajo?

- Obtención de status: Cómo mido el éxito? Por el logro de objetivos profesionales? O por una relación plenamente satisfactoria con mi familia y amigos?

Qué otros elementos agregarías a esta lista?

Qué aspectos podrían causar malos entendidos en un equipo multicultural?

Tuviste alguna experiencia concreta? Cómo resolviste las diferencias?

__________________

Para debatir sobre la cultura de negocios en Argentina, te invitamos a sumarte al próximo Café Intercultural para Extranjeros y Argentinos - Viernes 12/03, 18.30hs en Palermo

Informes e inscripción: nomadasglobales@gmail.com

Are you joining us? "Working & Doing Business with Argentines" - Friday 12th March, 6.30pm

2010-03-08T18:48:00.004-03:00

This is not just another Coffee Meeting... so don´t miss it!

In our next training session, we will provide you with an innovative tool utilized by the largest Intercultural Training Companies around the globe: the Cultural Model questionnaire.

By completing the questionnaire and obtaining your personal results, we´ll work together on:

- helping you understand your cultural orientation at workplace and the orientation of people of other cultures you work with

- exploring Argentina´s business culture in 5 main areas: hierarchy, chage tolerance, group dependence, diversity receptivity and status attainment

- share success & failure stories with other Argentines and expats living and working in Argentina.

To confirm attendance, please send an email to nomadasglobales@gmail.com

Going local: Expats arrimando el bochin to real Argentine Lunfardo

2010-03-08T16:53:00.010-03:00

Did you ever hear Argentine expressions such as “tirar la casa por la ventana”, “arrimar el bochin” or “mandar fruta”? ...Well, neither our expat participants ... until last Friday evening´s coffee Meeting.

Curious and open-minded as they are, Newcomers in Buenos Aires usually fall for making their living abroad experience as real as possible. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by improving their knowledge of Argentine Spanish - the hidden side of the local slang that you won´t easily learn in your formal language training.

So this was the focus of last 5th March´s Coffee Meeting & Training Session on Lunfardo in Palermo:

We started the training session with some fun icebreakers, revealing the most instinctive & animal aspects of ourselves. Don´t say it--- draw it!

From left to right: Kim (US), Dina (Canada), Kendra (US), Jim (US) and Kirsty (Scotland), figuring out the ins and outs of Argentine Spanish & Lunfardo

Afterwards, we explored the origins of Lunfardo and the level of familiarity of participants with the local terminology, usually overheard among Porteños, whil watching an Argentine movie or when talking to the "tachero" or taxi driver- only to find out that their Lunfardo language skills needed some improvement...

To learn to speak like locals do, they had the chance to explore the 50 most popular Lunfardo words & expressions and work in small groups to reveal its meaning through dynamic exercises - in a creative way.

Kim & Kirsty, wondering how to draw a "brasuca" (Brazilian native) and a "gallego" (a Spaniard)

Many questions, coffees and drawings later, the group had successfully learned some of the main Lunfardo expressions. And with it, they achieved a better understanding of Porteños communication style, which takes them one step further in their immersion process to the Argentine culture.

Living abroad can be a quilombo sometimes... so our training sessions aim to help expats make their global transition ... un toque más facil.

Thanks Jim, Kendra, Kim, Dina and Kirsty!

****

Lunfardo: How much do you know about Porteños Slang? Friday 5th March, 6.30pm - Cafe Lopez, Palermo. Join our next Coffee Meeting!

2010-03-01T15:26:00.002-03:00

Spanish language and Porteños identity go hand in hand!

Whether you are a Porteño or a foreigner trying to make of BA your new home, learning Lunfardo (Porteños slang) is almost a condition to better understand BA locals identity and improve your own communication skills!

In our next Coffee meeting, we (Argies and expats) will explore together Lunfardos main words and expressions - through fun learning activities! Where does Lunfardo come from? What expressions do you need to know? How to realize in which context you can use each expression?

Pre-booking required. To confirm attendance, send us an email: nomadasglobales@gmail.com

Nos estamos viendo!

Vivir, trabajar y amar en otro idioma: la experiencia de ser un extranjero

2010-02-23T13:01:00.004-03:00

A veces nos mandan, a veces elegimos “mandarnos”. Por una buena oportunidad laboral, por un semestre de estudio, por amor… o incluso en busca de una nueva experiencia de vida. Y de pronto una mañana la vida nos sorprende a miles de km de casa, a veces por algunos meses, y en otras ocasiones por tiempo indefinido.

En cualquier caso, la experiencia de ser un extranjero en un país desconocido nos toca en lo más íntimo y constitutivo de quienes somos. Lejos de nuestras expectativas iniciales, vivir, trabajar y amar en otro idioma no siempre es tan glamoroso. Se habla de pérdidas, de fascinación, de cambio y los más osados nos animamos a admitir que se trata de un cimbronazo en nuestra identidad. Algunos le llaman shock cultural.

Imaginemos esta situación. Aferrados a nuestro pasaje de ida y a algunas cartas de despedida de los viejos amigos y familiares en Buenos Aires, despegamos hacia el infinito. El vuelo que nos aleja de Argentina nos acerca en simultáneo a otro lugar. Se trata de una transición oceánica, en todo sentido. Navegando en océanos de interrogantes y apuestas, y con ese sabor agridulce de quien se va pero llega, estamos en camino.

Las horas transcurren al ritmo de lo desconocido. Nuestro reloj empieza a sincronizarse en dos horarios a la vez. Acá o allá, allá pero todavía acá.

Bien… qué pasa cuando una voz femenina finalmente nos anuncia por el parlante la temperatura local y nos da pista para desabrochar los cinturones?

Para hablar de allá, tenemos que empezar por acá.

En nuestro país de origen, allí donde nacimos y crecimos, hay una red invisible que nos apuntala desde pequeños. Ese trama, invisible y a la vez poderosa, es propia y también nos une a los otros con quienes crecimos.

La base cultural compartida es lo que garantiza el cálido y cómodo sentimiento de “lo familiar”.

Cuando nos trasladamos a otra cultura, la ausencia cobra una presencia insospechada.

Solo cuando nos alejamos de este marco cultural, se nos vuelven visibles aquellos elementos que compartíamos con otras personas de nuestro medio.

Viviendo lejos de casa, el contexto grupal deja de cumplir esta importante función de continencia y de confirmación del sentimiento de pertenencia.

Sin embargo, como recién llegados, no es fácil predecir la ausencia de este marco cultural que nos sostenía en casa.

Qué velo nos maquilla la verdad, como dice el poeta Joaquin Sabina? Algunos autores le llaman "la luna de miel del recién llegado".

Uno de estados iniciales más comunes es el enamoramiento súbito hacia el nuevo mundo (o viejo mundo, si el destino elegido fue Europa!) que nos recibe. Nos dejamos inundar por la magia de los paisajes exóticos, los sofisticados edificios, las sabrosas comidas y el idioma extranjero que resuena en todos los rincones de la ciudad, pero sin subtítulos en castellano. El sabor nostálgico que nos acompañó hasta allí parece congelarse, y nos sentimos como Alicia recorriendo de punta a punta su país de maravillas.

Esta es la etapa que mayormente recordamos como turistas. Una o dos semanas de deslumbramiento, fotos, tours y gente amable que nos venden sus paquetes turísticos, y antes de que la cosa se ponga demasiado real, nos volvemos a casa.

A diferencia del turista, el expatriado o inmigrante conoce la otra cara de la historia. El que se queda debe construir un nido allí donde sus compatriotas fueron solo pasajeros fugaces de hotel.

De igual modo que en un vínculo amoroso, la fascinación inicial de las primeras semanas dará paso, tarde o temprano, a una experiencia de inmersión total y compromiso con el nuevo lugar. Aclimatarse al clima y adaptarse a lo que nos parece inadaptable.

Buscar trabajo, encontrar techo, entender cómo se le pide al carnicero tal o cual corte de carne. No encontrar y conformarse con un sustituto. Querer decir y no saber cómo. Tolerar que nuestros chistes en castellano no tengan traducción. Generar nuevos vínculos con amigos, colegas, vecinos. Hasta enamorarse en otro idioma.

No es raro que esta etapa de la experiencia nos evoque los días de nuestra más tierna infancia, cuando nos esforzábamos por encontrar la palabra justa para comunicarnos en un mundo de adultos.

Nos sentimos pequeños. Y nuestros pequeños logros cotidianos en la nueva cultura cobran una dimensión inusitada.

Y la lista sigue.

Cuáles son tus experiencias de shock cultural? Cón que dificultades te encontraste a la hora de adaptarte a una nueva cultura? Qué es lo que perdiste? Qué te sobró? Qué ganaste?

Espero tus comentarios!

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Para debatir sobre este y otros aspectos de la experiencia del extranjero, te invitamos a sumarte a nuestros

Intercultural Coffee Meetings for Expats & Argentinos in BA

- En inglés-

Próximo encuentro: "Culture Shock"

Friday 26th February, 6.30pm - Cafe Lopez, Palermo

Last seats available.

Book your place: nomadasglobales@gmail.com

Ready for our next Coffee Meeting? CULTURE SHOCK - Join us! Friday 26th February, 6.30pm - Palermo

2010-02-22T21:01:00.002-03:00

Limited seats available.

To confirm attendance, please send your email to nomadasglobales@gmail.com

See you there!

Argentinos meet Expats: Our last Intercultural Coffee Meeting in Palermo

2010-02-22T16:59:00.005-03:00

From left to right: DJ (USA), Kirsty (Scotland), Kris (Argentina), Jim (USA), Ale (Argentina), Norman & Rita (USA) and myself!

Every week, a bunch of curious, open-minded Argentinos and Expats living in BA get together in a café to discuss on Porteños way and the challenges of being a foreigner in BA. Last week, the topic was Identity of Porteños.

We were supposed to meet on Friday evening. No matter how hard we tried, the heavy storm in BA and hundreds of liters of rain made it almost IMPOSSIBLE for us to leave our homes and workplaces! So we decided to meet up the following morning, Saturday February 20th. Drier.

The place? Just lovely! Café Lopez, a trendy bar in Scalabrini Ortiz and Güemes, in the heart of Palermo. Excellent coffee, and tall glass windows gave us a great view of the city.

The characters? Well, just amazing… We were a group of people from different ages, backgrounds and walks of life, locals and expats. Being d-i-v-e-r-s-e is exactly what makes the difference!

So you´re now wondering... what did we do? To begin with, participants were asked to introduce themselves in a very “different” way, that led them to reveal funny sides of their personality.

Then, we did a fun learning activity to raise awareness on our (not always conscious) stereotypes and prejudices towards ourselves, Porteños and other cultural groups. Understanding where our stereotypes come from and how they work was a key step of the Meeting!

Finally, I presented on the essential aspects of the Identity of Porteños from an intercultural perspective. This led participants to better understand what makes Porteños so passionate about tango, Psychoanalysis and soccer, among other cultural cues.

Having worked previously on the concept of stereotypes, the group was able to adopt an innovative perspective to respect and tolerate cultural differences in their approach to Porteños culture.

The result? 3 hours and several cappuchinos and "medialunas de manteca" later, we were still sharing our living abroad experiences, chatting and laughing.

Thanks everyone for coming! Hope to see you next Friday evening!

TE INVITAMOS! Intercultural Coffee Meetings for Foreigners & Argentinos in BA - Friday 19th February, 6.30pm

2010-02-17T17:13:00.003-03:00

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TE INVITAMOS!

Intercultural Coffee Meetings for Foreigners & Argentinos en Buenos Aires

Next Meeting: "How much do you know about Porteños? Your first impressions"

Friday 19th February, 6.30pm

Café Lopez. Scalabrini Ortiz 2401 (corner of Güemes). 1 block away from Scalabrini Ortiz – subway D. Palermo. Bs As.

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Attendance fee is of 40 Ar$/person.

If you come with a friend, 70 Ar$ for both.

If you book 3 meetings in advance, 100 Ar$/ person!

To confirm attendance, please send your email to nomadasglobales@gmail.com

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Hola a todos!

Nómadas Globales Argentina organizes Weekly Intercultural Coffee Meetings for the community of travelers, expatriates and international students living in Buenos Aires.

If you are a foreigner or ciudadano argentino and you are interested in exploring and understanding cultural differences, this is your place!

Let´s go global!

Through fun & innovative group activities (role playing, simulation, exercises and lively discussion), we enjoy an evening together. We learn and discuss about Porteños mentality, challenges of living as a foreigner in BsAs and cultural differences between Argentina and other cultures represented in Buenos Aires.

We offer you a space to learn, share your experiences, have fun and meet other locals and foreigners, in a relaxed and informal atmosphere – el Café Porteño!

We enjoy working in small groups. Topics change every week.

Only requirement: possess an intermediate level of English – as the Meeting is held entirely in English language.

For this Friday 19th February´s Meeting in Palermo: Limited seats available. Pre-booking is required by sending an email to nomadasglobales@gmail.com

Warm regards!

Natalia Sarro

Intercultural Trainer & Psychologist

Nómadas Globales Argentina

"Building a home for a Global Nomad"

Blog: http://www.nomadasglobales.blogspot.com/

Email: nomadasglobales@gmail.com

How to communicate effectively with porteños? Join us! Friday February 12th, 6.00pm - Palermo

2010-02-07T16:45:00.007-03:00

Does "Sí" mean "Yes" in Argentina?

2010-02-07T16:21:00.008-03:00

So why is that?

Sometimes it is the lack of motivation to mix with Porteños that leads to failed interactions. In other cases, Spanish still sounds like Mandarin Chinese to many NewComers who struggle with the local accent and the fast-speaking style of Porteños.

A frequent complaint is that locals "just don’t know how to answer a question straight to the point". Is it because all Porteños have suddenly lost their train of thought? Well, some of them possibly, but ... everyone?

The challenge is a bit more profound, and way more interesting to explore!

According to Edward Hall, one of the most respected US Anthropologists and Cross-Cultural Researchers, cultures can have high-context and low context communication patterns.

Having said this – are you now ready to go one step farther in your appreciation of Argentinos´ communication style? Where do you think that Argentina stands between the low-context/ high context cultural orientation?

And last but not least - what kind of communication patterns do YOU have?

I look forward to your thoughts!

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Last seats available - "Lunfardo: Slang of BA - Language, Culture & Identity" - Friday February 5h, 6.00pm

2010-02-01T11:48:00.003-03:00

Why saying "Che Boludo" with a foreign accent is not too bad - Languages and Expats identity

2010-01-29T06:27:00.024-03:00

Heading to Argentina for a season abroad? If you are a Newcomer, someone needs to tell you the truth. Argentina is not only about dancing tango in Caminito and making eternal pilgrimages around Parrillas of Buenos Aires. Actually, one of the biggest challenges of this Latino country is to understand the colorful Spanish language. No big deal right?

The language barrier would be just another element of the expat cultural adventure, if it wasn´t because everything you learnt in your vacations in Madrid becomes useless when you try to speak Castellano, the Argentine version of the Spanish language. And if you thought this would keep you safe in Porteño land, it is because you haven´t even heard about the existence of Lunfardo yet… Lun... what? Oh yes, Buenos Aires citizens, also called Porteños, have their own slang.

No wonder why the tragedy of language immersion can reproduce awkward feelings of our early childhood, when we used to feel small, weak and hopeless in a world of adults. Been there before?

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Did you ever hear the stories of ... let´s say, 30-year old expats full of hair on their chests, confessing they used to feel like a 4-year-old child when living abroad? This is also true for expats relocating to Argentina. Why is that? Language barrier challenges our sense of identity. It is not unusual that expats make visible efforts to integrate to Argentine culture, by forcing themselves to speak Castellano like a native- or at least try hard to make their first “Che boludo” expressions sound as accent free as possible! Even though we may think that in Rome we should behave as Romans do, pushing ourselves to the limits can lead us to wonder: “Am I still the person I used to be?”

First things first

Our native language fosters relationships with main significant others in our childhood: our first friends, our first loves, our first jobs.

When we live in our home country and speak our native language every day, we hardly notice its existence. Our language is a suite that everybody is wearing around us –and we give it for granted, as the air we breathe. And every time we speak to our co-nationals, their response reinforces the fact that “we are all in the same boat”.

However, when we relocate to a country where a different language is spoken (or same language, but with different accent or idioms), the environment of the host culture tells us silently “Listen to yourself…You are not one of ours”. Language barrier comes suddenly into play, leading us to review our communication strategies and wonder how to make ourselves understood.

Language, culture and identity: a 3-way road

Since we learn to speak, language shapes the image of ourselves, others and the world we live in. If there isn´t a word to name it, then it is not part of the reality we perceive.

When expats face the challenge of living abroad, the language of reference of their childhood is not there anymore. And with it, it´s lost the early childhood ability of letting themselves impregnate naturally by the music and intonation of a new language. Adult expats learn grammar and vocabulary in a more rational way than children. They need to devote large amount of efforts to learn a foreign language that will help them perceive the new cultural reality and to communicate with individuals who are part of that reality. Who wants to feel “different” anyway?

So it is not illogical to conclude that language immersion is always an opportunity to challenge expats´ sense of identity.

Some expats incorporate the foreign language extremely fast, usually to avoid the discomfort of the new situation. On the other hand, others offer great resistance to learning it, in the belief (not always conscious) that they should maintain fidelity to the language spoken with their parents and loved ones. In these cases, there is often an underlying belief that the native tongue is the only one that can express vital experiences authentically, so the foreign language is rejected for being “poor or insufficient” and for disguising their identity.

In other occasions, resistance to incorporating some expressions of the foreign language is a way of avoiding the shame of being a child again – in need to “create” the words in a universe of adults.

Having said this - There is light at the end of the tunnel.

When you overcome the cross-cultural challenge of the language immersion, you´ll begin to feel that there is enough space in yourself for both your native language – and Castellano. Your identity is no longer threatened. On the other hand, you will perceive that learning foreign languages makes you rich and diverse, and you can offer this diversity to others.

As an expat in BA, you´ll come across plenty of interesting opportunities to assimilate Lunfardo.

Use them!

- Go beyond your comfort zone.

- Talk to locals.

- Listen to Porteño children – they have tons of things to teach you - you used to be a child too.

- Try using new expressions you learnt from that nice Argentine waiter or that funny new word you overheard in the supermarket.

The good thing about getting familiar with Lunfardo is that it will take you closer to the real identity of Buenos Aires and its people, giving your cross- cultural experience a whole new dimension.

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Join our Intercultural Coffee Meetings for Expats in BA!

Learn. Share. Live Buenos Aires

Next Meeting: "How Much do you know about Lunfardo: Porteño Slang?"
Friday February 5th - 6.00pm.
"Tea Connection". O. Cossentini 1545. Puerto Madero
Attendance fee: 40 Ar$/ person.
Coming with a friend? 70Ar$ for both of you!

Limited seats available Pre-booking required.

To book your seat, please send us an email to nomadasglobales@gmail.com

How much do you know about Porteños? - January 25th, 6pm in Puerto Madero

2010-01-20T14:09:00.004-03:00

Following the route of Porteños Coffee in (im)perfect Buenos Aires

2010-01-14T18:46:00.009-03:00

Yesterday it was a great day. As great as the place we visited.
We were 8 global nomads at the entrance of the emblematic Café Tortoni, the 150-year-old cathedral of Tango on Avenida de Mayo, to hold our 1st Expat Coffee Meeting of the Year.
Leading to Casa Rosada (the Government house), Avenida de Mayo tends to be extremely crowded at any time of the year. Luckily, Porteños usually escape from the heat of BA in January, looking for the (cool but crowded) beaches of Mar del Plata. Or Brazilian beaches, if they are lucky. This leaves BA subways empty, the traffic a (little) bit less hectic, and Cafe Tortoni....equally crowded!

1 minute after we got in, people from all walks of life began to form a long line at the entrance, as if they were hoping for a miracle to happen. It was not easy to get into the most traditional Coffee Place of BA. The Doorman was the Magician. Once the door opened up.... Magia!

You are inside of a tunnel of time. Cafe Tortoni reflects the soul and history of Porteño Life. Crowded and noisy, as Porteños. But the smell of coffee in the air, the antique decoration and the flavor of art and literature on the walls make it the perfect scenario of imperfect Buenos Aires.
Who would want Buenos Aires to be perfect? And last but not least, what makes you think that Porteños would be perfect?

Insightful moments happen when you are not expecting them. And perfection doesn´t leave space for magic.
Our Coffee Meeting was perfectly (im)perfect, thus magic. Some of us arrived late. A few couldn´t stand the noise of coffee machines and 1000 languages bein spoken in tables around us.
I had to interrupt my presentation on “How to communicate effectively with Argentine locals?”. Why? Because of the waiter, or the noise or something totally expectable? Not at all.
Simply because a funny tourist suddenly came to our table to record us with his camera. We became part of his story, whether we wanted it or not. Wherever this gentleman came from, his fellow co-nationals far way from Buenos Aires will witness – through this recording - the graceful imperfection of a bunch of smiles, coffee cups and diverse languages sitting around our table. We were 8 global souls sharing stories. Figuring out how to be a foreigner in BA. Representing 100 cultures but exploring one: Argentina´s.

And most importantly, embracing it.

Thanks Michal, Kendra, Violeta, Kaley, Phillipe, Melissa and Alejandra!

Café Tortoni was the beginning of our route of Coffee.
Our next stop is Café Manhattan.

Are you joining us?

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Do you have an expat story to tell? Do you wonder how to overcome the shock of surviving Buenos Aires?
Monday January 18th 6pm - Intercultural Coffee Meeting for Expats
Where? Grand Café Manhattan - Avda Cabildo y La Pampa - Belgrano
Presentation and discussion on "Culture Shock of Newcomers in BA".
Last seats available.

40 pesos/person
If you book 3 meetings in advance: 100 pesos/ person

To book your place, please send us an email to: nomadasglobales@gmail.com

Last seats available for January - Intercultural Coffee Meetings for Expats in BA (click picture to enlarge)

2010-01-07T20:56:00.004-03:00

The emotional Argentines

2010-01-04T20:06:00.008-03:00

As an expat in BA, it is vital to understand that Porteños (BA local citizens) have their own cultural rules on how to express their emotions, build relationships and communicate effectively with others. Are they better or worse rules than yours? Obviously not.
However, failing to become culturally aware of these differences may take you down the wrong path of interpretation.
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Your plane just landed in BA city. You are coming to visit your good old Argentinian friend. You haven´t seen her for several years and you know she will be waiting for you in the Airport.
As soon as you step off “Aduana” (Customs), there she is: big smile, jumping, waiving hands and shouting your name effusively as if she was completely alone in the whole airport. This makes you feel a bit embarassed. When you finally approach her, she throws her arms around your neck and holds you tight. To your surprise, she suddenly begins to shed tears of joy. She cries and tells you how much she missed you.
You are really happy to see her too, but… isn´t she overreacting? Would you response to your friend´s emotions in a similar way?

No right or wrong answer.
Fons Trompenaars, the author of the Bestseller book “Riding the waves of culture”, states that reason and emotion influence relationships between people. Based on Parson´s research, Trompenaars describes a variety of orientations regarding the way people across cultures relate to others. One of them is the neutral vs emotional orientation.
Sounds too obvious? Let´s get into the details.

When we interact with others, is it acceptable to express our emotions openly? Or should we keep our feelings for ourselves?
Believe it or not, affectivity is usually the result of convention. Anger, joy, sadness or surprise are not equally exhibited in all cultures (neither in the same degree nor in the same way). Personal space, body language, gestures and tone of voice are also culturally determined.

Unlike Anglo-saxon and some North European countries, Argentina is an emotional oriented culture. This means that Argentines have a tendency to reveal thoughts and feelings in public, both through verbal and body language. Argentines will usually let their emotions flow easily through touching, a rather loud tone of voice, laughter and facial expressions, to name a few. Soccer fans will scare you off with their highly emotional shouting of “Goooooool” every time their favourite soccer team marks a goal. And don´t get surprised if Argentine mums kiss their children in public, or raise their tone of voice unexpectedly to shout at them in the bus when the little ones are not behaving properly.

On the other hand, neutral cultures (such as Japanese, UK or Norweigan) tend to reveal their emotions quite rarely. They usually prefer to leave affectivity outside of interpersonal relations, as they consider that intensive emotional exhibitions should be controlled.

It is important to note that this is not stereotyping. Trompenaars theory is based on extensive research and it does not indicate that all people from one culture will react equally. The main point is that cultural orientations show us degrees of likelihood. This means that, in given circumstances, individuals from one culture will tend to behave under certain cultural norms, in comparison to individuals from other cultures in similar circumstances.

Why is cultural awareness important?
So at this stage, you understand that there are emotional and neutral oriented cultures. And you can tell that Argentina is closer to the affective ones. Perfect. So next question is: Why would an expat need to explore their own emotional reactions when encountering with Argentines?

Trompenaars gives us a a good reason for this.

When we express ourselves, we usually expect confirmation of our feelings and thoughts in the response of others. In other words, if my approach is highly emotional, I will probably seek a direct, emotional response in return. However, if I prefer to keep my emotions under control, I will expect a neutral, controlled response as well.
When I interact with a person who doesn´t abide by my cultural norms, things can get difficult.

At this point, can you imagine the cross-cultural misunderstandings that can take place when neutral and emotional oriented individuals meet?

Here are a couple of everyday examples:

If you are an expat coming from a neutral culture, you may interpret ups and downs in speech of Argentines and constant interruptions as an indicator of lack of seriousness or professionalism.
Did you ever wonder what leads Argentines to exhibit this voice pattern? They often show their deep involvement and interest in the conversation by raising or changing their tone of voice. In many Latin American cultures, interrupting their counterparts before he/she finished talking is a signal of interest in what is being said. Furthermore, silence could be interpreted as a failure in communication.

Another one: as a neutral oriented individual, you may feel that your personal space is threatened if you just meet an Argentine stranger (usually female) who attempts to kiss you on the cheek in a social event. Hey, don´t get annoyed so easily. Your Argentine´s stranger is just doing what is socially expected for a first encounter: being polite.
If she is not culturally aware of your neutral orientation and if you fail to emulate her behaviour, she may interpret your detached demeanor as dislike or disdain. Not a good start, right?

A good piece of advice for neutral oriented individuals is to learn to tolerate Argentines´ emotionality without feeling intimidated. It´s not personal!

As an expat in BA, it is vital to understand that Porteños have their own cultural rules on how to build relationships and communicate effectively with others. Are they better or worse rules than yours? Obviously not.
However, failing to become culturally aware of these differences may take you down the wrong path of interpretation.

Keep an eye on this blog for more intercultural articles to make the most of your expat experience in BA!

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Are you a NewComer in Buenos Aires? Would you like to understand the Argentinian way, from the perspective of an Argentinian Cultural Specialist, while meeting new people in a friendly environment?

Then join us in our Nomadas Globales - NEW Intercultural Coffee Meetings!
For expats, international students, travelers and all those interested in understanding Argentine locals idiosyncracy.

Agenda: "How to communicate effectively with Argentine locals?" (Jan 13th) Dissertation & Round Table of Natalia Sarro, Argentinian Psychologist and Intercultural Trainer. Followed by open discussion.
When? January 13th 2010 - 5.00pm
Where? Gran Café Tortoni. Avenida de Mayo 825. Capital (BA)
How long? 90 minutes.
Cost: 20 Ar$ (promotional price)

Last seats available. Pre-booking required.

New meetings will be scheduled soon. Check our website or contact us for more details: nomadasglobales@gmail.com
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Pictures used in this article belong to:
http://marketingfromtheheart.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/marketing-emotion.jpg
http://imagenesargentinas.blogspot.com/

"Why can´t Argentinians be just normal?" The challenge of a global nomad in Buenos Aires

2009-12-30T01:25:00.011-03:00

Many global nomads think that the real challenge of living abroad is exploring the new country. They can hardly imagine that there is a little foreigner inside each of us, waiting to be discovered as soon as we step off the airport.

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Moving abroad is yesterday´s news. People travel thousands of km every day to go places for pleasure, study, work, or family matters.

You just arrived in Argentina. So why is it important to develop cross-cultural awareness?

All of us perceive reality from one place: ours. Since we were born, we were taught how to perceive the world: what is a male or a female, the meaning of family, what is beautiful (and not so beautiful), and everything else in between you can imagine.
No need to say, most of this is given for granted. Like a fish in water, we never ask ourselves what the water smells like. It is there all the time. It is an invisible part of our daily experience.

Have you ever wondered how you perceive reality? Not yet? Let us help you.

-If you are angry or sad, would you allow yourself to cry in public?

-Do you consider multitasking is the correct way of getting things done at work, or your attention should be caught by one thing at a time?

-When looking for a job, is it more important WHAT you know or WHO you know?

There are as many answers to these questions as cultures on earth. In other words... Our perceptions shape our actions. We can only act based on the portion of reality we perceive. If you want to explore the invisible lines that shape you reality, it is a good start to ask yourself how YOU behave in every aspect of your life.

We know what you´re thinking... each person is different and we need to respect each human being´s uniqueness, right? Good point. However, research shows that beyond individual traits, we (yes, you too!) are greatly determined by the social and cultural conditions that surround us - like water shapes fish reality.
Our cultural background determines to a large extent our perceptions and behaviors. It prepares us to defend certain “universal” values and attitudes and get rid of others. It shows us how to be a good parent, an efficient employee or a loving partner. It even tell us whether and how to express our emotions and feelings. How essential is that?

The Newborn adventure

So what happens when you meet a foreigner? Or even more, when you move abroad to...let´s say...Buenos Aires, the beautiful capital city of Argentina?

Crash boom bang. Culture clash. And last, but not least… culture shock.

From the moment you step off Ezeiza Airport, you realize that something is missing. You become totally aware of the water that used to sustain you… simply because it is no longer there.
The smell of the new place, the humid weather, the loud noises of the crazy traffic, the impossible-to-figure out gestures that Argentinians use to communicate with each other, the kissing among men and men, men and women, children and men.. like a newborn exploring a whole new world, you are able to detect even the smallest differences. Buenos Aires embraces you with a mixture of surprise, excitement and fascination.

The days go by. Now you need to find a flat. Get a new job. Or if you already have one, you are expected to communicate effectively with your boss and colleagues ASAP. You were hired to deliver results. Sooner or later, the initial excitement goes away. Small differences that used to fascinate you can be disruptive now. You just don´t understand why all Argentinians are so rude, insensitive, narrow-minded. Your big question is: “Why can´t Argentines be just normal?”

Now, what is the meaning of normal or ab-normal? Judging Argentinians (or people from any other culture) as abnormal, rude or narrow-minded is risky: it leads to stereotyping. Prejudgements speak more about the judger´s perspective, rather than of the true characteristics of the person who is blamed by the judger.
Many expats get to this point and don´t know how to move forward. Nostalgia invades them. They start hating everything about the host country. So you hear comments like “The streets of BsAs are extremely dirty.” Or “Unlike my good old friends back home, Argentinians don´t know how to have fun” Or “I miss Europe! The Weather is too hot here”.
This leads many expats to lock themselves in and isolate from the unbearable foreignness outside. They prefer to stay home surfing Internet or chatting with good old friends (the only normal ones) rather than engaging in real life activities. This leaves them unsatisfied, clueless and with no chances of nurturing genuine relationships with others.

So what is the real challenge of being a global nomad ?

The real challenge is meeting yourself. Only when you explore your own cultural background and where you come from, you can perceive the dimensions of other people´s cultural realities. And last but not least, accept cultural differences. Forgive yourself and others. Embrace diversity.

When you become conscious of the role that culture plays in your own life, you´ll discover that Argentinian culture is not better or worse than yours.
Suddenly, you realize that right or wrong is just a matter of where you are standing. And you can start embracing Argentinian culture and its people, because now you can recognize yourself as a foreigner too.

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In Nómadas Globales Argentina, we help expats identify the color of glasses they wear to perceive reality. We understand that moving to a new country is not just getting another stamp on the passport.

Intercultural training with us will take your living abroad experience to a new level.

Join our Intercultural Coffee Meetings for expats in Buenos Aires (for individuals and small groups) to learn more about ins and outs of Argentinian culture and how to make your experience abroad a once-in a lifetime experience.
As of January 13th 2010, we will hold presentations and group discussions every week in different locations of Bs As dowtnown. Check this blog for upcoming events!

Contact us for more details: nomadasglobales@gmail.com

2009-12-22T12:58:00.000-03:00

Join us! NEW Intercultural Coffee Meetings for BsAs expats (January 13th 2010)

2009-12-20T15:47:00.008-03:00

Are you a NewComer in Buenos Aires? Would you like to understand the Argentinian way, from the perspective of an Argentinian Cultural Specialist, while meeting new people in a friendly environment?

Then join us in our Nomadas Globales - NEW Intercultural Coffee Meetings!
For expats, international students, travelers and all those interested in understanding Argentine locals idiosyncracy.

Agenda: "How to communicate effectively with Argentine locals?" (Jan 13th) Dissertation & Round Table of Natalia Sarro, Argentinian Psychologist and Intercultural Trainer. Followed by open discussion.
When? Every 2 weeks, starting January 13th 2010 - 5.00pm
Where? Gran Café Tortoni. Avenida de Mayo 825. Capital (BA)
How long? 90 minutes.
Cost: 20 Ar$

We organize one-on-one and small group coffee meetings on several intercultural related topics all over BA downtown.

Limited capacity for January 13th meeting. Pre-booking needed.

To book your place, contact us today on: natalia_sarro@yahoo.com.ar

Newcomer in Argentina... what could go wrong?

2009-12-19T18:13:00.006-03:00

You just came out of Ezeiza airport.

Could it be any better? This is your new home!

The hot weather and the waves of Spanish speakers walking around you are postcards of a dream coming true.
You finally arrived to the beautiful Buenos Aires, promising land of tango, soccer and beef. You heard many wonderful stories from other expats about life in Buenos Aires. You know it is the European capital of Latin America. Great food. Cheap prices. Extroverted people. You heard Argentinians inherited an interesting European style from their Italian and Spanish ancestors.

What could possibly go wrong?

You came down to spend a nice season in an exotic culture: A Semester study abroad. An Expat assignment with your family. Maybe you met an attractive Argentino/a and you came down following an adventure. Or you are just making another stop in your trip around the world.
This is not your first living abroad experience.

However, things start to get difficult...

Let´s put it this way:
You meet some nice Argentinian locals and you are invited to a birthday party. You are so excited about it! You arrive at 10pm on the dot, as agreed. But surprisingly, you´re the first guest to arrive and the host is not even ready to receive you. What is wrong with Argentinians´ clocks?

A possible answer to this is… the concept of time. Argentina is a fluid time culture. Time is there to serve people´s needs, and not the other way around.
In social events in Argentina, such as parties or lunches with family or friends, start times are usually indicative, and arriving 30 to 40 minutes is frequent. Argentines are generally late, because they will not leave the previous meeting – obligation to the person you are with, outweighs inconveniencing everybody else. However, avoid generalizations.... Punctuality is more important in business meetings than in social events.

Our customized Intercultural Training Programs will help you understand the ins and outs of Argentinian culture and answer some of these questions:

1) What´s the Argentinos and Porteños (Buenos Aires citizens) mentality like?
2) What motivates Argentinians?
3) What are their values and how does this influence their behavior and communication style?
4) How can you relate effectively with Argentinian colleagues and managers at workplace?

We deliver affordable trainings to:

-expats and their families (children, trailing spouses)
-international students
-travelers
-occasional visitors

Where? We can visit you at your workplace or meet in one of the stlylish Coffee places of Buenos Aires downtown.

Contact us to work together on a customized intercultural training session to make the most out of your overseas experience in Argentina!

Email us: Natalia_sarro@yahoo.com.ar

My last Intercultural Training: Argentinean Students at Deutsche Schule Hurlingham (Buenos Aires)

2009-12-01T00:29:00.016-03:00

Last November 24th, my colleague Gisella Lopez Becerra and I spent a great day at the classroom of Deutsche Schule Hurlingham (Bilingual School German – Spanish in Buenos Aires), training 30 Argentinean students in process of preparation for their Study Abroad Program in Germany.
Mission accomplished! Through games, role playing and lively discussion, we achieved our goal: generate tolerance and respect toward differences, improve students´ intercultural communication techniques and help them understand the importance of “putting oneself in people from other cultures´ shoes” before judging others.

Thanks everyone & have a great intercultural experience!
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El pasado 24 de Noviembre, junto a mi colega Gisella Lopez Becerra pasamos un día fantástico en las aulas del Deutsche Schule Hurlingham (escuela bilingüe español – alemán en Buenos Aires) capacitando a 30 estudiantes argentinos para su experiencia de Intercambio con Alemania.
Misión cumplida! A través de dinámicas lúdicas, role playing y vivo debate, alcanzamos nuestro objetivo: mejorar las técnicas de comunicación intercultural de los estudiantes, generar tolerancia y aceptación hacia las diferencias, y ayudarlos a comprender la importancia de ponerse en los zapatos del otro antes de emitir juicios de valor.

Gracias por participar y que tengan una excelente experiencia intercultural!

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Algunos comentarios de los estudiantes que participaron de nuestro Taller:

"Aprendí que no somos todos iguales. Ni mejores ni peores que otros"

" El Taller me sirvió para aprender a estar más abierta culturalmente y que debo disfrutar de esta experiencia de intercambio"

"Me gustó mucho el espacio, fue sorpresivo y concreto. Al ser más bien práctico, y no tan teórico, me llegó a nivel personal y me tranquilizó con respecto a mis miedos y dudas. Me entusiasmó mucho!"

"Me siento más emocionada por aplicar todo lo que llevamos a cabo. Me llevo las experiencias que nos contaron y estrategias para enfrentarlas."

"Gracias por esta gran exposición!"

Relationship matters: Business Entertainment in the land of Tango

2009-12-01T00:02:00.009-03:00

Bonding plays a significant role in Argentina´ s relationship oriented culture; and business culture reflects the importance of the socializing in corporate settings.

In comparison to European countries and English-speaking North America, workdays are longer (office hours are usually Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 7.00pm/ 8.00pm), while workplace productivity is lower. One of the main reasons for this is the amount of time devoted to establishing and nurturing relationships. In large cities such as Buenos Aires, executives tend to spend considerable time and energy at extending their social networks by attending long work lunches or dinners, business meetings or the so called “after office” events, which take place after work hours in trendy bars. This is a very adaptive behavior in a society where a personal circle of powerful contacts, usually helps speed up bureaucratic transactions and facilitates access to certain benefits leading to business success.

Establishing relationships is also related to the need to get to know the people involved in a project and gaining trust before getting down to business. Newcomers arriving in Argentina should be prepared to allow time to build relationships with prospective partners and colleagues, rather than sticking to tight schedules and strict rules.

Typical social events to attend with business colleagues are business meals (eg. teams designate one day/ week to go out for lunch with colleagues), joint sport activities (usually soccer, but also golf in upper management level), birthdays, farewell parties, end of the year celebrations and achievements of common goals.

Since it is customary to work long hours, business dinners in restaurants can take place at as late as 9.00pm or 10.00pm.
On average, Argentines eat 68 kg of meat every year. Since vegetarianism is not commonplace, it is worthwhile mentioning meals preferences to the counterpart before making restaurant reservations.
When receiving international visitors, Argentine business people are usually very welcoming and hospitable. It is common to take newcomers to a tango show or to trendy restaurants. In upper management level, it is also usual to take foreign visitors to spend the day on the countryside in an “estancia” (cattle ranch).

Picture source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/levt/2119219568

Working With Argentines – How to communicate?

2009-10-22T10:31:00.004-03:00

Written with support of Labs Relocation Services

(Thanks Lorraine and Susan!)

Means of Communication

Argentina ´s general style of communication is indirect: there's often more information in the body language than in the verbal content of the message. People are not as direct as North Americans, but at the same time not as indirect as some Asian cultures.

On first encounters, it is always safer to be formal. Nevertheless, the Argentine partner will most likely ask his foreign counterpart to move to a more relaxed and informal style. Argentine business people dealing with international partners pay more attention to the formality of the communications (especially in first-time meetings), while they tend to be more informal when dealing with local customers or vendors. The informal communication style can be identified by the use of "Tú" or "Vos" (2nd person singular) in verbal messages, while "Usted" (Spanish expression for "you") is the safest option to establish a higher level of deference and distance. Usted is usually used to address an individual one meets for the first time or that deserves a formal treatment, due to age or higher rank..

Preferred means of communication are face-to-face meetings and telephone calls, over email exchange. The phone is better than an email when a confirmation and some sort of commitment is required. Emails are mostly used for sharing information that needs to be persistent in time (i.e. for contractual purposes, key decisions, planning issues, etc.). Also, for informal communication among colleagues within the same organization, email is widely used, as well as internal messengers (which has been increasingly adopted by many companies to speed up the internal communication processes).

Emails

When it comes to email exchange, Argentine business partners prefer to be formal when establishing first contact. The frequency of email response varies upon the type of company and level of familiarity of their employees with latest technologies.

For example, if the company is Argentine-owned and it is managed by older people, it may take 3-4 business days to get an email response. Nevertheless, most companies have full access to Internet and utilize email as a primary communication tool. In some industries, especially when working with foreign clients, the responses happen within the course of the day or even within the next 2-3 hours.

Work from home

Work from home is not a general rule in local organizations and Smartphones (eg Blackberry or Palm) and work laptops are not as widely spread among employees as in other more developed countries. Therefore, foreign visitors can't always expect a business partner to reply to a work-related email after normal business hours or during weekends. However, most medium-sized or large organizations provide their upper/ mid-level level Managers with work cell phones and expect them to be reachable at all times. Text messaging is very common among young workforce, but it is still considered an informal style. When communicating something urgent or important, a phone call is by far the most recommendable mean of communication – over email and text message.

If a foreign visitor intends to initiate contact with a local organization or individual, the most advisable option is through a referral/ recommendation eg. being introduced by a current employee of the organization or a close contact person. If the visitor doesn't know anybody within the organization, a safe choice is sending an email and following up with a phone call.

Initial approach should be done with care and politeness, looking at building relationships gradually, paying attention to the other person or organization´s timing. Pushy or invasive approaches are not effective or welcome. While exaggerating the formality is not the best option, it is recommendable to be slightly more formal, than to force a too casual approach.

When organizing a meeting, it is recommendable to arrange it on the phone and confirm it by email afterwards.

Where is home to an expatriate? What are you doing to build your home these days?

2009-09-21T20:59:00.003-03:00

Where is home to an expatriate? What are you doing to build your home these days?

By Natalia Sarro – Sept 2009

In modern travel, we are sold exotic touristic destinations, which we visit hoping that they are going to be “the place of our dreams”. However, we often don´t realize that, rather than traveling to experience a genuine immersion and close encounter with a new culture, it is just an ephemeral incursion to “wherever”, another place in the tourism industry´s list of exotic places.

In his book “The Naked Tourist”, Lawrence Osborne criticizes modern travel and introduces the concept of “whereverness” as a way to define the current tendency of seeing a plurality of places merged into one single, uniform place. According to Osborne, travelers are like perpetual strangers “wandering through an imitation of an imitation of a place they wanted to go to”.

In addition to this, I was reading a book by a French Writer and Anthropologist Mark Auge, who created the concept of “non-place” to refer to locations that lack the characteristics needed for the definition of a place. Examples of non-places are international airports, shopping malls or hotel rooms, typically populated with anonymous individuals, always in transit from one location to the other. These non-places lack identity, relationships or history and the footprints of their residents can´t be tracked.

Osborne and Auge´s writing inspired me to think about expatriates and their sense of identity and attachment when transitioning from one place to the other, far away from what they would call “home”.

So, where is home for an expatriate? We are facing an era of uncertainty, anonymity and loss of identity. How can expatriates introduce a difference and leave marks in a world of pure transition?

Since Sigmund Freud´s contributions to Psychoanalytical literature in 1930, we know that living as part of a culture is always the source of both joy and suffering. As the little human being grows up, he/she is educated within the common rules of their culture. This involves declining one´s instinctual tendency of unlimited satisfaction, in aid of gaining a place in the society and benefiting from establishing and nurturing social relationships with others. Ambiguous as it sounds, these relationships give us a much needed attachment to ourselves and to our roots, facilitating our growth. In other words, social interactions with significant others are the source of personal transformation and development of a person´s uniqueness.

Due to permanent change of locations, communities, jobs and friends, expatriates are even more exposed to the risk of limited personal growth and disruption of their sense of identity throughout the time.

In our days, the concepts of space and time – traditionally considered as fixed, closed structures- are clearly in transition, leading us to think of them as unpredictable and unstructured settings. We no longer can call home our country of origin. Home is not even the house we built or the place where we were born. Rather than a physical place, home is what we do with others. Home is an action, rather than a noun. The sense of belonging, traditionally attached to a physical place, is now evolving in a new conception of belonging based on actions that relate one person to others. Basically, the sense of identity and of being at “home” is constructed by people when doing a common task with others. So, where is home for an expatriate?

What are you doing to build your home these days?

Natalia Sarro
Intercultural Specialist, Psychologist
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Natalia_sarro@yahoo.com.ar
Blog: http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Enomadasglobales%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F&urlhash=U568&_t=disc_detail_link (Spanish/ English)
Linkedin Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Elinkedin%2Ecom%2Fin%2Fnataliasarro&urlhash=xmSO&_t=disc_detail_link

El extranjero: un exiliado de sí mismo

2009-06-17T01:31:00.004-03:00

“El extranjero te permite ser tú mismo, en tanto hace de ti un extranjero”.
Edmond Jabès

Se sabe que el extranjero representa la constante incertidumbre y la otredad; es una presencia persistente de esa “otra cara” que obliga al ser humano a confrontarse con un extrañamiento que se resiste a ser eliminado.

Ahora bien, cuáles son las raíces de tal extrañamiento y cómo influye esto en la integración del migrante a la comunidad receptora?

Uno de los mayores legados del Psicoanálisis proviene de la inquietante idea de que en la subjetividad humana coexiste, junto a lo familiar, un vasto campo de significados desconocidos que llevan al sujeto a extrañarse de sí mismo. Muchas de las conductas y emociones del sujeto no encuentran una explicación en el orden de lo racional o lo dado a la consciencia, produciendo desconcierto e incertidumbre.
De este modo, el concepto de lo inconsciente exige conceder que el comportamiento humano está multideterminado por diversas fuerzas e instancias psíquicas contrapuestas, entrelazadas de un modo complejo. Solo una exploración de las profundidades de la subjetividad humana permitirá develar la singularidad de la trama que caracteriza a cada ser humano, y hacer retornar a la consciencia aquello que debió ser relegado al campo de lo inconsciente.

En su artículo acerca de “Lo Siniestro” (1919), Freud echa luz acerca de este extrañamiento potencial que existe en cada sujeto. Introduce el concepto de “lo Unheimlich” como la transformación de lo familiar en lo opuesto, en algo extraño, ominoso y destructivo, lo cual genera incertidumbre y desconfianza (Lutenberg, 2002).

Lo siniestro (unheimlich) refiere a objetos o situaciones que ahora espantan, pero que antes fueron conocidos y familiares (heimlich). Por lo tanto, aquello muy conocido o familiar puede aparecer, bajo ciertas circunstancias, como aterrorizante y desconocido. Freud agrega que el concepto de Unheimlich, dadas sus múltiples acepciones, también debe ser entendido como todo lo que debería haber quedado oculto, secreto, pero que se ha manifestado. (Aguinis, 1987)

Relacionando los aportes de Freud al fenómeno migratorio, es entonces factible suponer que los sentimientos de extranjerización impulsados por la inquietante presencia del otro confrontan al sujeto con lo siniestro en sí mismo, es decir con aquello que, en lugar de quedar oculto, se manifiesta a partir de la presencia de lo diferente: el nuevo contexto, el nuevo idioma, las nuevas personas y costumbres. Tanto para el migrante como para el ciudadano de la comunidad receptora se pone en juego lo extranjero en sí mismo, hasta entonces oculto, a partir del contacto con la otredad.
En este sentido, se puede concluir que el modo particular de elaborar las vicisitudes de este encuentro dependerá de la capacidad del sujeto de admitir su propia alteridad y aceptar que será siempre, desde el concepto de lo inconsciente freudiano, un exiliado de sí mismo.

En definitiva, tal como afirma Julia Kristeva (citado en Chambers, 1984): “El extranjero (…) empieza a emerger con la conciencia de mi diferencia y concluye cuando todos nos reconocemos como extranjeros”.

Crisis cultural e identidad

2009-06-17T01:23:00.003-03:00

Si bien la literatura psicológica ha hecho referencia a numerosos tipos de crisis, entre las cuales pueden contarse las vitales, las patológicas y las accidentales, entre otras, algunos autores (Bar, 2001; Eiguer, 2002) han hablado de la “crisis cultural” que atravesará el migrante, al verse obligado a enfrentar la nueva cultura del país receptor y a dar por perdido el apuntalamiento constitutivo de su identidad cultural proveniente del país de origen.

Los sistemas sociales de representaciones (los mitos, los modos de vida, los modelos educativos y culturales, las formas de socialización) constituyen códigos comunes de referencia transmitidos desde la temprana infancia, primero sobre la base de los gestos maternos y el grupo primario de pertenencia y reforzados luego por la pertenencia a los grupos secundarios de la vida social (escuela, amigos, compañeros). Esta base cultural compartida es uno de los elementos constitutivos del psiquismo dado que representa la parte cultural de la identidad, garantizando el cálido y cómodo sentimiento de “lo familiar”. Solo a partir de la ausencia de este marco cultural se vuelven visibles para el sujeto aquellos elementos que compartía con otras personas de su mismo medio.
Durante la estadía en un sitio con una cultura distinta a la propia, el contexto grupal deja de cumplir esta importante función de continencia y de confirmación del sentimiento de pertenencia, desencadenando regresiones y angustias extremas.
Se puede producir entonces un “conflicto de lealtades” que pone al sujeto frente a un dilema. Por un lado, siente deseos de integrarse a la nueva cultura e incorporar lo novedoso. La amenaza de marginalización lo apura a adoptar gustos, costumbres e idioma. Por el otro, sus deseos de integración están refrenados por el temor, no siempre consciente, de perder la propia cultura y renunciar a sus orígenes.
Para el sujeto, su ser se confunde con sus raíces y éstas le resultan inconciliables con la supervivencia en la nueva sociedad.

Un modo de resolución posible de este conflicto puede ser el surgimiento de patologías de la identidad que le permitan conservar el vínculo íntimo con la cultura de origen y a la vez adaptarse a la nueva cultura.

La hospitalidad

2009-06-13T22:42:00.001-03:00

“Un día comprendí que, de todas las cosas, la más importante para mí era cómo me definía a mí mismo en tanto extranjero… Entonces me di cuenta de que el extranjero, en su vulnerabilidad, solo podía contar con la hospitalidad que otros podían ofrecerle”.
Edmond Jabès

Jacques Derrida (1997) vincula la migración con el concepto de hospitalidad en relación a la pertenencia y ocupación del espacio público, introduciendo “una dimensión ética al tomar conciencia de la existencia del otro, de la alteridad y ajenidad del otro” (Puget, 2006).
En su interpretación de la obra de Derrida, Puget afirma que se necesita tanto que el huésped (hostis) como el anfitrión (habitante-ciudadano) se esperen mutuamente para que se inicie un proceso de hospitalidad.
Por la presencia del extranjero, se construirán nuevos espacios de reclusión, nuevos adentro-afuera.
Para estos autores, la hospitalidad conlleva la idea de que durante el proceso de acogida del extranjero -quien es pura alteridad ante los ojos de quien lo recibe- tanto el huésped como el anfitrión deberían ser capaces de establecer las pautas del nuevo encuentro. Esto implica la puesta en juego de la solidaridad, como un nuevo modo de convivencia donde ambas partes deben renunciar a algo para alojar al otro.
Sin embargo, continúa Puget, parece haber en muchos casos una incapacidad de crear este espacio común, lo cual lleva a una obstaculización en el proceso de hospitalidad. Dicha incapacidad está dada por dos grandes factores. Por un lado, cierta tendencia en el anfitrión a desmentir las dificultades propias de alojar lo ajeno, y por el otro, la necesidad en el migrante de negar parte de su pasado, resignando la posibilidad de capitalizar el aporte enriquecedor de la suma de experiencias novedosas. Se parte en muchos casos del presupuesto de que el migrante debe perder rápidamente su condición de tal, renunciar a su doble pertenencia a dos culturas y olvidarse de sus orígenes, con tal de asimilar el nuevo contexto. Sin embargo, concluye la autora, la clave no está en perder la condición de anfitrión y la de huésped sino en realizar un “trabajo en común”.
Desde las nuevas concepciones espaciales y subjetivas se han ido desechando los modelos de la modernidad que atribuían a toda estructura reglas de funcionamiento estables y conexiones de causalidad lineal, todo lo cual permitía pensar en cierto grado de previsibilidad de los fenómenos y en cierta ilusión de solidez. La representación de estructuras sólidas ha cedido lugar a nuevas propuestas que, desde distintos contextos científicos, admiten “la regularidad de lo imprevisible”. Los nuevos espacios son pensados como medios líquidos (Bauman, 2000), siendo cada época y región generadora de sus propias cualidades de incertidumbre.
Este concepto trabajado por Puget, Bauman y muchos otros autores puede ser trasladado a la noción de migración, a fines de comprender los distintos grados de inquietud, perplejidad y falta de certezas que atraviesa un migrante con la llegada a un nuevo país. La noción de pertenencia transferible de un espacio a otro, sostenida durante la modernidad, ha evolucionado a una nueva concepción de pertenencia que se entiende como aquello que une al sujeto a un conjunto determinado: la pertenencia se construye al hacer “algo en común” con el otro.

Esto implica, inevitablemente, otro sentido de la “morada” y de estar en el mundo. La morada debe ser concebida desde esta perspectiva como un ”hábitat móvil” (Chambers, 1994) donde el tiempo y el espacio ya no constituyen estructuras fijas y cerradas.

Homelessness, dice Martin Heidegger (1977), se está convirtiendo en el destino del mundo.