Expatriate Training

Employees and their families who are confident about their country-specific knowledge and intercultural skills are better equipped to adapt to the differences in their new environment. The highly-interactive one- or two-day "Dynamics" program explores:

• Country information and daily life
• Role changes in the new environment
• Research-based cultural differences that can lead to misunderstanding
• Communication style differences
• The natural ups and downs of settling into a new culture
• Culture's impact on business and social interactions
• Strategy models for determining when to adapt and to what degree

Programs are conducted by training professionals with years of experience living and working abroad. Each program is customized to meet the needs of the assignee and family, and will include a session with a cultural business consultant and/or a daily living session with consultants who have "on-the-ground" experience in the host culture.

IOR's intercultural training programs focus on in-depth issues of cultural adaptation that cannot be easily learned by reading books about the host country. However, sometimes a straightforward list of do's and don'ts and other factual information about the destination country is essential for doing business globally. All expatriate programs include a one-year subscription to Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands, a guide to international business protocol, customs and etiquette for more than 60 countries.

Youth Programs

The Intercultural Explorer Program for children 6 – 12 years old explores cross-cultural challenges at a level that is appropriate for their understanding and engagement. The activity-based, colorful curriculum is both fun and informative. Children and parents participate in joint activities during the morning and
afternoon, and parents receive a briefing from the youth trainer at the end of the program.

Camp International is a full day of learning about a new culture for those who are too young (ages 4 - 6) to join older brothers and sisters in a youth/teen intercultural training program. All family members begin the day together and end the day together. Activities include crafts, videos, games, songs and basic language instruction.

Teen Programs

The Intercultural Pathfinder Program combines some of the more complex topics in the adult program with the opportunity for interactivity and participation that is the strength of the youth program. The manual is designed with teens and their special challenges in mind. Most programs include a session with a youth consultant who is from the host culture, or who has spent significant time there.