Jean Lomas is an International Student Advisor with SFU International Services for Students. She has been working in the field of international education since 2005, and at SFU since 2008. Jean experienced the successes and challenges of cultural immersion while attending graduate school overseas, and has since dedicated her career to facilitating intercultural experiences for international and domestic students. As an International Student Advisor, Jean supports international students in their transition to life at SFU and in Canada, and manages programming to foster intercultural connections between students. She is also passionate about developing leadership capacity within the SFU student population, and is currently a presenter with the Passport to Leadership program. Jean holds a BA (Italian Studies) from the University of Victoria, and an MA (Italian) from University College Cork.
What is effective intercultural communication?
How can we leverage our communication skills to create connections between cultures and foster a more inclusive community?
In this interactive session, participants will explore the concept of intercultural communication as it pertains to leadership. Session attendees will have an opportunity to build on their prior experiences in cross-cultural situations, and gain a greater understanding of common barriers to communication between cultures. Through a combination of small-group discussions and simulations, participants will identify practical ways to put intercultural communication skills into practice to create and facilitate intercultural connections in their leadership roles. Participants will also learn how international experiences can enrich and broaden one's personal intercultural understanding and growth.
Karin Kosarzova is also an International Student Advisor with SFU International Services for Students. As a past international student, Karin understands the challenges of being an international student and strives to help make students' time spent at SFU socially rewarding, culturally enriching and professionally stimulating.
In Fall 2011, she began her Masters of Education at SFU Surrey and continues to love meeting new people, and exploring new cultures. Karin has travelled to numerous places around the globe, including Europe, Asia, the USA, and Central America.