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 is Holy Week – a time when Christians around the world celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Holy Week always takes place the week before Easter, but does not include Easter itself. Across the world, people will celebrate in different ways. Some have fasted from certain aspects of …
We are living in an age where, globally, people are far more equipped and educated than they have ever been in the past. Information is literally at our fingertips through various forms of technology, and the speed at which we are able to accomplish tasks and succeed at our goals is ever-increasing. However, the job …
This week at CAI we hosted a webinar on the idea of the unconscious bias –like it or not, the way you interact with others is influenced in some way, somehow, by a bias. We were able to explore that this bias could be through race, gender, height, age, and many other factors. What’s more, …
Many of us have traveled abroad and been both amazed and perhaps a bit confused by the experience. Now imagine turning your week long vacation into months or years. Imagine no longer being a tourist in a foreign country, but an active member working and overcoming challenges daily both in and out of the workplace. …
There’s no question that the way a person views the world and functions, both in day-to-day life and in business, is built on the foundation of their native culture. Some might say there are no two cultures more different than those of a primarily Western mindset vs. an Eastern mindset. Take a moment to complete …
It’s that time of year again…Chinese New Year! The longest and arguably most festive and important holiday in China follows the Lunar Calendar and marks the New Year as such. You’ll hear the phrases “Chinese New Year” and “Spring Festival” used interchangeably, but they mean the same thing. This year, Chinese New Year will be …
Out with the old, in with the new – we say “goodbye” to 2016 and welcome 2017 with open arms. 2016 is seen by many as a tumultuous year, to say the least, and even though it certainly wasn’t all bad many people are still ready to usher in something new and different. Did you …
The end of the year is finally upon us, and one of the more prominent holidays is Christmas. Typically Christmas is associated with fir trees, presents, Santa, the birth of Jesus, holiday cheer and togetherness, and fried Chicken. Oh yes, you read that correctly, fried chicken. Japan has its own special way of celebrating Christmas, …
As the holidays are fast approaching, many expats across the world are gearing up for vacation, with many of them planning trips home. For some, “home” can mean a variety of things and can seem a bit arbitrary, depending on how long an assignment abroad has been and what culture one relates to more. A …
December is upon us, and with that comes the old religious tradition of Christmas. But before Christmas –a time of gift giving, celebration, and joy—there is the waiting period. This time of pause and expectation is known as Advent, and it symbolizes the anticipation of something new, something notable. Advent itself means “arrival” and it …
Cultural Awareness International is pleased to announce that we are the 2016 Paragon Supplier Partner Award winner for excellence in Cross-cultural Training. This marks the second year in a row that we have won this distinguished award. Paragon Relocation announced the 2016 Paragon Supplier Partner Award winners at a special reception held during the Worldwide …
Continuing our theme from last week of seasonal holidays, one cannot ignore the time of thanks that is given in North America. Both Canada and the United States celebrate Thanksgiving – however the similarities and differences are of equal length. For instance, both holidays originated from a historical and religious background – Being thankful for …
As we take a step into the fall season, we are entering a time of many important holidays. Some secular, some religious, some strictly historical and some a cultural blend. Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish holiday celebrated this year between Oct. 2nd and October 4th. Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of creation as it correlates …
24 hours in a day, 24 time zones, a million different interpretations of what this actually means. Timing is everything, particularly in business, and depending on where you are, the concept can have a very different ebb and flow. This difference in time, or rather, the perspective can greatly influence one’s perception of a culture …
We all know that your personality helps define a lot about you, such as who you hang out with, what type of work you’re suited for, and the way you generally function in everyday life. But did you know it can also help you determine the most suitable places for you to live in the …
The New Year is largely see as a time of renewal, rejuvenation, and restoration regardless, for the most part, of which culture you’re in. And though the New Year is far away in the West, the East is gearing up for a time of celebration. In India, there is a community of people known as …
