Each passing year brings its share of experiences, growth, and change. One constant in our lives remains: the holidays we celebrate and the traditions that surround them. Our holidays affect us in a personal way, linking us to family and close friends. Passing seasons evoke memories and instill in us an appreciation for our culture and a desire …
By: Ivonne Juraidini Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that commemorates the lives of deceased loved ones. It is a tradition that originated from indigenous rituals and eventually blended with Catholic elements as a result of Spanish influence. The holiday takes place over two days: November 1st and …
Art is a powerful thing. From the moment that humankind could, we started thinking creatively. Explaining and depicting the world around us. From the earliest cave drawings in South Africa which date back 164 thousand years to the well-known cave paintings in Europe that date 40 thousand years, humans have always been moved to art. …
Spring is a season many of us look forward to every year. It is a time of year where flowers bloom, trees wake up, and the temperatures rise again! It also includes Daylight Savings Time, and 2018 marks its 100th anniversary. This year it begins on Sunday, March 11, at 2:00 a.m. While not every …
It is that time of year again; Lunar New Year is upon us. 2018 is the Year of the Dog, which is part of the 12-year animal zodiac cycle. For more information, read here. More than one billion people around the world are preparing to celebrate. Although Lunar New Year has its roots in the ancient …
Priscila Montana, President & CEO of Cultural Awareness International (CAI), spoke at the Women and International Commerce event this past Saturday on November 11, 2017. Held in conjunction with the Chilean Association, this summit brought together women from every industry to participate in an open dialogue regarding women in the workplace, in particular women of …
China is a very interesting country but for most transitioning employees it is a hard country to live and work in. An executive’s success does not only depend on how well adjusted he or she is in the new environment but also how well adjusted his or her family is. According to Betsy Neidel, a …
Imagine going abroad to live in an unfamiliar place then coming back home to a similar unfamiliarity. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many expatriates. There is a popular misconception about expatriates coming home in that everything will be fine and everything will be like it used to be. Expats often expect to return to …
To those Texans who text and drive, you will have to put your phones down come September 1, 2017. Why? A new law proposed by Rep. Tom Craddick (R-Midland) and Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) and signed by Governor Abbott will make it illegal to text and drive all across Texas. This may sound familiar to …
This week CAI brings you a special post with information on the Middle East from a renowned cultural expert, Grace Edwards, who has allowed us to share her expertise. Grace Edwards is a Western businesswoman, cross-cultural consultant, and author with decades of experience in Saudi Arabia and through the Middle East. Grace reveals that the …
The 1st of May does not seem like a special time to many people, but it actually stands as a holiday with ancient roots. Though it is also a Labor Day holiday for parts of the world, there are multiple types of celebrations for the day, often involving social activities outside the home with the …
This week’s blog post comes from our Senior Intercultural Facilitator Ruth Friedman. Ms. Friedman grew up in London, spent a year living, working, and travelling in the United States, and has now been living and working in Belgium since 2004. She specializes in the fields of cross-cultural and intercultural trainings, non-discrimination, and personal and career development. Ms. Friedman is …
For the first time in history, ten refugee athletes will compete at the Olympic Games Rio 2016, composing the Refugee Olympic Team (ROT). The athletes will march with the official Olympic flag at the opening ceremony.
For centuries, British Columbia-Vancouver in particular-has been a popular destination for Chinese migrants because of its calm pace of life, moderate climate, economic opportunities and most of all, position on the Pacific Rim, as it is closest to the Asian Pacific Rim.
Virtual travel is a budding industry. Today, its main use in the travel industry is for advertising purposes- to give consumers a taste of a new destination so that they are persuaded to go there. Yet is it not hard not to envision the great potential for virtual travel.
Sometimes, we all need a detox. Our fast paced, plugged-in culture can leave us frazzled and out of synch with nature, personal relationships, and our inner selves. For the more than 1.5 billion adherents of Islam, a month long detox, both physical and spiritual, is an annual occurrence: Ramadan. Ramadan, the ninth month of the …
As the Olympic Games draw near, with Brazil running the show, there is excitement over things to expect: The fan-favorite swimmer, Michael Phelps is returning, strong international competitors abound for practically every field…
Instructor-Led and Electronic-Led Training: A Blended Learning Approach for Success in Today’s Global Workplace How should training and development adapt to reflect the growing diversity in our globally mobile workforce? When our workforce no longer comes from a homogeneous culture, how should the training adapt? Today’s workforce needs personalized training, as well as just-in-time resources …
Last week we covered European wedding traditions. Spring festivals around the world are starting soon and with that comes wedding bells. This week, let’s explore Asian wedding traditions. A common tradition in India and many other countries is the henna, or Mehndi, tattoo for the bride before the ceremony. There are slight variations amongst regions …
It is about that time of year again. Soon Facebook and calendars will be filled with wedding invitations and pictures of elaborate ceremonies. Over the years, many countries have all conformed to a basic wedding structure, but many countries still maintain centuries-old traditions. This week, we look into Europe . . . German traditions start …
