The future labor market is becoming globalized. And for Dania’s students, this is a reality they must face, whether they will work in Denmark or abroad in the future. Therefore, International Days are a crucial priority to provide students with perspectives in an international context:
"Dania’s students will be global citizens in the future. So, we must equip them with tools and intercultural skills that prepare them to collaborate across cultures and traditions. This will be essential for succeeding in a labor market that is not confined by physical borders. That is why International Days are an important part of our education," emphasizes Lise Bøgild-Jakobsen, Head of Counselling, Career & International Relations at Dania.
Students Must See Themselves from a Distance
One of the international lecturers who visited Dania during International Days — and who taught at several of Dania’s campuses over the three days — was Dinand Warringa from Windesheim University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. He taught Commerce and Logistics Management students at the Hobro campus in Diplomatic Language in Business Settings:
"Danes and Dutch people are very similar in many ways. We can be quite ironic and straightforward — the Dutch perhaps even more so than the Danes. But that's simply not the right way to communicate if your audience comes from a completely different culture," points out Dinand Warringa and continues:
"I want the students to see themselves from a distance and make them aware of how they communicate. How do they tailor their communication to the target audience, while also being mindful of cultural differences, and what they mean for the way we communicate?"
Providing Perspective on Communication Styles
To emphasize his points, Dinand used a lot of self-irony in his presentation. Not least, with examples of how he himself has 'stepped in it' in terms of communication. But also to provide perspective on the way Dutch people communicate and why it can be perceived as both arrogant and overly direct by others:
"I once tried giving a lecture to Turkish students, and it just doesn't work if I use irony in the same way. They don’t understand it, and it can even be seen as somewhat condescending," says Dinand Warringa.
As an example, Dinand introduced the students to ’7 Ways to Soften Your Language’. He used the concepts to provide concrete examples of how you can linguistically adapt your messages across different cultures to ensure the best chances of their message having the intended impact.
Engaging and Relevant Educational Experience
One of the strengths of Dinand’s teaching was his ability to convey his expertise with a great sense of humor while making it relevant to the students. This impressed Jesper Andersen, a Commerce Management student at Dania Academy in Hobro:
"First of all, Dinand was really good at involving us in his teaching. He asked about our experiences and used them actively in his examples. It worked well. I also liked that he brought energy and humor into the classroom, and was great at being self-ironic," laughs Jesper Andersen, concluding:
"I’ve picked up some really good tips and insights for my studies, and I’ve become much more aware of how to use language going forward."
If you want to know more
If you have any questions about International Days or other international activities at Dania Academy, feel free to contact:
Flemming Kjærsgård Andersen, Responsible for International Mobility, phone: +45 2037 9525, fka@eadania.dk
Lise Bøgild-Jakobsen, Head of Counselling, Career & International Relations, phone: +45 2037 9525, libj@eadania.dk