Testimonials and feedback of students

On their evaluation sheets and through their testimonials, the participants of our various university courses and workshops not only provide us with excellent feedback on technical competence, practical application, and presentation style; most importantly, they also give us their personal impression of the workshop.

• I really enjoyed the workshop! I just signed up more out of curiousity than real interest in the topic, but I can only recommend the workshop to everybody!!! Learning about cultural communication for two days opened my eyes not only for situations in the job but also for everyday situations. Now it is clear to me why people from different cultural backgrounds behave in such different ways. Looking back at my experiences abroad the seminar made clear to me why there have be misconceptions about different topics. I think when studying International Business like I do it is even more important to understand how missunderstandings between cultures can arise. The seminar is definitely valuable to everybody and will enhance my interpersonal skills! I think investing two days into a better understanding between cultures is worth it!
  
  Gesa Walter
  Student - International Business Economics / BWL
  Maastricht University (www.unimaas.nl) / RWTH Aachen University (www.rwth-aachen.de), Maastricht / Aachen
  
  January, 2008
  

• I stepped into this particular workshop with my dusty student goggles on: "Hmmm. Probably just another blah blah blah theory packed workshop". How did i leave? With a CLEAR positive spectrum (invisible to outsiders) to add.

  Mrs. Alexia Petersen has a Professional presentation style and organisation that one simply HAS to experience first hand. The backbone of any speaker's talk is the ability to "Get the message across" sovereignly. This is where Mrs. Petersen's experience REALLY shows and her "leave no woman/man behind" attitude was a refreshing change. A lot can be learned (e.g., Body language and rhetoric) by just simply leaning back and observing her in her element.

  "Bridging the cultural gap" is something we all NEED to at least be aware of in this day and age of globalisation - where the human factor is often ignored. Being willing and able to "shift", knowing how to "read in between the lines" and "mutual face protection" are all key to avoiding those awkward situations, that we have ALL faced at one point or another. The practical excercises were a real TREAT and helped to reinforce the theory.

  An insider joke we all agreed upon at the end: We will never look at any "onion", shape or form, the same way again. How true.
  
  Abdallah Salim
  Student - Computer Science, Psychology
  RWTH Aachen University, Aachen (www.rwth-aachen.de)
  
  June, 2007
  

• I was living in Brazil when I found out about the RWTH workshop. It took almost one year until I could attend it, and it was worthwhile waiting that much. Living in several countries, it has been a long time I have been fascinated about intercultural encounters, and therefore I decided to study about them. However, it does not mean that having different intercultural experiences that you are automatically prepared for a constructive intercultural communication. There is always something to learn, and you always get impressed how complex intercultural communication can be. Trainings like the RWTH forges us to give a break in our frenetic lives and think, discuss, feel and live our communication skills with people from different cultures. Not always we take this time. We take communication for granted, and hardly think the miscommunications and all their consequences in personal life and work, depend, actually, much of us. This awareness and the developing of communication skills is one of the basis that you can get from this workshop. And I mean not just helping the communication for foreign students in an university, but understanding the other, the difference in our daily life. The role plays, cases and discussion in the workshop confront us with conflicts which arise in intercultural communication. It is a learning for life. And the best is, you learn it without studying; you learn it in practice! We perceive we are not that prepared to deal with differences, and how it affects our study, work, relationships. I can just recommend such workshop for everyone, regardless of being German or foreign, having an abroad experience or not. We should take the time for this; improving intercultural communication skills is becoming as important as the educational formation, as the course you are studying. Actually, I think it should be a discipline for any course. And the workshop will show you why!
  
  Cristina Wulfhorst
  Student - Psychology
  University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia (www.uws.edu.au)
  
  April, 2007
  

• I would like to thank you very much for offering this workshop. I enjoyed it a lot and it has certainly opened my eyes in terms of cultural differences. There is so much to learn and improve that I will definitely continue working along the lines you showed us.

  I particularly enjoyed the balance of theoretical basis and practical approach during the workshop because it showed the difficulties of practically being a good intercultural communicator and at the same time helped putting the skills acquired into practice. I also appreciated the contributions made by participants having a different cultural background.
  
  Diana Lutz
  Student - English Linguistics, German Linguistics, Sociology
  RWTH Aachen University, Aachen (www.rwth-aachen.de)
  
  July, 2006
  

• Venturing out of my country for the first time as a student, I came to Germany with preconceived notions about the land, the people and the culture. Based on my prior experiences in the United Kingdom, I was sure that this experience would not be too different. However, to my surprise, this country caught me off guard, a shock to say the least. The directness, the so-called "unfriendliness", attitude towards family and relationships was diametrically opposite to my belief system. My notions, re-enforced by my fellow countrymen (ill-informed as they were) became truths unto themselves. Add to that an incomprehensible American boss. I could never truly understand what it was, that he wanted from me, precise instructions were always found wanting. Abstract, blunt critiques of my work seemed rather attacks on my person and skills and "clearly" confrontational in nature. Communication gaps notwithstanding, a rapport most required for a good working relationship wasn't getting forged. I could not understand, for instance, why it was that he did not ever enquire about my family, or ever express interest in going out for a beer together, or for that matter, tell me about his personal life. Strange as it may sound, all of this, is quite normal in my culture.

  Having heard about the workshop from a friend of mine, I was quite eager to try and get first and foremost an answer to this enigma. In retrospect, it did much more for me, and I strongly believe that, that was one of my better decisions. The interactive multicultural workshop, gave me the opportunity to see myself from across the "divide". Alexia, through her excellent guidance and thought provoking in-class sessions and exercises, brought forth the various decision patterns that govern the behavior and thought processes in people. Most of the time, I sat agape, as Alexia peeled the cultural "onion", the patterns emerged, and the "enigma" stood de-mystified. A year and a half on, I can see what changes this workshop has brought in me and in my life here in Germany. The ill-conceived notions have been swept away and I have come to appreciate the German work ethic and culture from a uniquely different standpoint. I formed a strong working relationship with my erstwhile "incomprehensible" boss, finally comprehending his craving for terseness.

  The workshop changed me as a person, for seeing oneself across from another point of view, can be a rather enriching experience and at the same time, can lead to revelations about ones own self. In understanding others of a different mindset and culture, I began to understand my own self. Thank you, Alexia and Stephan!
  
  Tim Sodhi
  Student - M.S. Software Systems
  RWTH Aachen University, Aachen (www.rwth-aachen.de)
  
  November, 2005
  

• Es liegt mir am Herzen Ihnen auf diesem Wege nochmals für den einmaligen und inspirierenden Vortrag gestern Abend in der Simon Fraser University zu danken, insbesondere für das eingehende Gespraech mit Ihnen im Anschluss daran. Ich nehme von diesem Abend viele Reflektionen, neue Ideen und Inspirationen mit was meine eigene berufliche Zukunftsplanung und einen 'Rückzug nach Deutschland' angeht. Es ist wunderbar und 'encouraging' mit Menschen zusammenzutreffen, die eine Leidenschaft für interkulturelle Kommunikation und Sprachen mit einem teilen und sich diese, wie Sie, zum Beruf(ung) gemacht haben!
  
  Christine Haid
  Student - B.A. Communications
  Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, B.C., Canada (www.sfu.ca)
  
  September, 2005
  

• Zwei Dinge waren herausragend am Intercultural Communication Seminar:

  1. Seit meiner Diplomarbeit kenne ich die meisten Kulturdimensionen aus der Theorie. Doch erst durch das Seminar sind mir ihre Auswirkungen auf das Verhalten Einzelner oder auf interkulturelle Situationen deutlich geworden. Alexia zeigt sehr plastisch die für die Praxis relevanten Konsequenzen unterschiedlicher Kulturausprägungen auf.

  2. Die Rollenspiele und das detaillierte Besprechen von Verhaltensweisen halfen mir auch mein eigenes Verhalten besser zu verstehen. Als jemand der multi-kulturell aufgewachsen ist, kann ich plötzlich interkulturelle Situationen aus der Familie besser nachvollziehen und habe auch in dieser Hinsicht von dem Seminar profitiert.

  Dafür möchte ich mich bei Alexia und Stephan Petersen bedanken. Ich wünsch Euch weiterhin viel Spaß und Erfolg bei Eurer Arbeit und freu mich auf ein Anschluss-Seminar!
  
  Preethy Pappachan
  Student
  RWTH Aachen University, Aachen (www.rwth-aachen.de)
  
  June, 2005
  

• It is all about the 'seminar on intercultural communication' which overnight changed my thinking and decision making patterns about the people from different cultures and I must admit that I am far better in making good relations with people from different cultures. I had few understanding problems with my colleagues and supervisor but now I have very nice working relationships with them because now I know the bigger picture and hidden cultural logics.

  Alexia, a wonderful instructor, an amazing practitioner with a pleasant personality is the most appropriate person for holding such inter-cultural communication workshops. She has a capability to get the maximum out of you and you start enjoying the learning. It is learning by doing, learning by participating and learning by communicating.

  The seminar is organized in a wonderful way, well structured, right mixture of theory and practical examples, balanced dose of humor and Alexia is very nicely assisted by Stephan who is a very nice add-in to the whole process of learning. He jumps in the conversation at the very right time and hand it over back to Alexia in a smooth transition. What an amazing couple, they are like an institution!

  These were the two most productive days of my life because these 2 days gave me those silver bullets which are working and will work in future as a survival tool while living in any culture, meeting with any person from Japan to Switzerland.

  I traveled 6 hours for attending each 2 hours night session and it was always worth 6 hours travel. Everything was awesome and full of excitement in the whole seminar.

  I have been teaching in Pakistan before coming to Germany. This seminar not only taught me the bits and bytes about intercultural communication but I also learned a lot from Alexia about the good teaching method and how to teach in a 'Student Centered Way'.

  Hey I forgot to mention one thing, the coffee was amazing and I wish I could eat the fruit on the last night ;)

  I would love to attend anything taught be Alexia and Stephan in future.

  Thanks a lot Alexia and Stephan for giving me such a wonderful opportunity to learn about the most important things which I might not be able to learn for years!
  
  Suleman Shahid
  Student - M.S. Computer Science
  RWTH Aachen University, Aachen (www.rwth-aachen.de)
  
  June, 2005
  

• First I was just curious to have a look at the IC workshop but during the seminar a deeper interest awakened not only due to the topic but due to the dedicated and competent guidance through the whole course. Humorous and always open for questions and comments it never got dry. Case studies, roleplays and thought experiments led to an exciting way to directly approach different cultures easily. For me it was a completly new experience and has opened the door to the understanding of the different behaviour of foreign people. Now that I know how to deal with their cultural background and core values it will not prevent me but help me decreasing the cultural shock abroad.

  Nice and interesting for people who are travelling or want to learn more about their foreign neighbours. Indispensable and strongly recommended for business people and companies acting all over the world.

  Alexia and Stephan, keep on doing this nice job.
  
  Andreas Schulze
  Student - Physik, Philosophie, Psychologie
  RWTH Aachen University, Aachen (www.rwth-aachen.de)
  
  June, 2005
  

• For me, the seminar was nothing short of an intensely intriguing and stimulating learning experience. There was so much that I got to learn that I didn't know. And that uniqueness of unknown is its quintessence. Full credit to Ms. Alexia, she created a very conducive and congenial environment, inspiring analysis and sparking creativity. I thoroughly enjoyed the seminar series. It brought out various areas where I need to improve myself. And, after the end of the series, certain behaviour patterns now seem quite conspicuous and comprehensible, which prior to the seminar were almost obscured and illogical.
  
  Siddharth Vikal
  Student - M.S. Biomedical Engineering
  RWTH Aachen University, Aachen (www.rwth-aachen.de)
  
  June, 2005
  

• The Seminar on intercultural communication provided me with the fundamental tools of communication - primarily on intercultural as well as on interpersonal communication.

  It shows clearly that speaking technically perfect English does not make you an exceptionally gifted communicator. During my university education, communication and behavioural patterns were often underestimated. That is why it is a must-do seminar at the RWTH Aachen University!

  Alexia has a very professional style of teaching. The seminar is well-structured, providing you with the theoretical backgrounds and practical examples taking from daily business life. I learned a whole new vocabulary in ways of communication and approaching different cultures. As I am going to work in Japan soon, these communication tools give me a certainty and surely will be a key to Japanese culture.
  
  Sandra Leythäuser
  Studentin - Architektur (Architecture)
  RWTH Aachen University, Aachen (www.rwth-aachen.de)
  
  June, 2005
  

• Most of the time I am on the move, from country to country and I interact with different cultures a lot. I also work in pretty much a multicultural environment. But even then, I never knew what intercultural communication is about. What is its importance in one's life? How can one use it effectively? Everything got clear after attending this miracle workshop. More surprisingly, I am normally not interested in such workshops, but this time I thought to give it a try and now I am glad that it was one of the best decisions I have ever taken up to now.

  This workshop has changed the way I look at other cultures. Now I know how and why other cultures act the way they do and I can communicate much more confidently and effectively with my colleagues and friends from different countries, cultures and backgrounds.

  I am specially thankful to Stephen and Alexia, you guys are great! The presentation style, the course contents and the organization of the workshop... everything was just perfect.

  I will for sure attend future workshops, if I get a chance. Vielen Dank!
  
  Mian M. Junaid Tariq
  M.S. Research Student - Software Systems Engineering
  RWTH Aachen University, Aachen (www.rwth-aachen.de)
  
  March, 2005
  

• Thanks again for the opportunity of attending the seminar, it was very fruitful indeed, it clarified many things about the behavior of people from different cultures leading to better understanding of our differences, at the same time it helped me to learn some aspects about myself a bit better. Your seminar can change peoples' realities, if listened to with the right ears.
  
  Freddy Vargas
  Student
  Avans University, The Netherlands (www.avans.nl)
  
  March, 2005
  

• Mit Ihrem Wissensinput im Gepäck bin ich mittlerweile durch Süd-Ost-Asien gereist und habe in Argentinien ein Praktikum gemacht. Auf beiden Reisen haben die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse mir oft geholfen und statt (wie früher) in manchen Situationen wütend zu werden, musste ich eher grinsen oder lachen! Sowie ich früher anderen empfohlen habe sich keinesfalls ohne Lonely Planet auf große Reise zu machen, würde ich heute eher ein Seminar bei Alexia und Stephan Petersen als unverzichtbar empfehlen!
  
  Eva Schneiter
  Studentin
  RWTH Aachen University, Aachen (www.rwth-aachen.de)
  
  October, 2004
  

• Zuallererst möchte ich mich bei Alexia und Stephan Petersen für ein sehr professionelles und lehrreiches Intercultural Communication Seminar bedanken.

  Aufgrund meiner Diplomarbeit hatte ich mich schon sehr intensiv mit dem Thema Kultur bezüglich internationaler wirtschaftlicher Zusammenarbeit auseinander gesetzt. Viele Theorien und Ansatzpunkte aus der Anthropologie und Ethnologie sowie die Studien von Hofstede, Trompenaars, Hall u.a. sind mir allgegenwärtig.

  Begriffe wie: High-Low Context Communication, Self-Conception, Hierarchy, Uncertainty Avoidance, etc. werden in vielen Büchern beschrieben. Demnach hatte ich zu Beginn des Seminars einen gewissen theoretischen Hintergrund und konnte die Begrifflichkeiten zuordnen.

  Was aber, wenn man Definitionen und Theorien kennt, jedoch nicht weiß, wie sie tatsächlich in ihrer Kultur gelebt werden und in der Praxis umgesetzt werden?

  Genau dies habe ich in dem Seminar der Petersens gelernt. Ich hatte unglaublich viele "AHA-Effekte"! Jetzt kann ich mir unter High-Low Context Communication genau etwas vorstellen, da wir immer wieder in Fallstudien diese Art der Kommunikation geübt haben. Dies ist nur eins von vielen Beispielen!

  Durch dieses Seminar habe ich also gelernt, was sich praktisch hinter Kultur beschreibenden Theorien, Begriffen und Verhaltensmustern verbirgt und wie sie im Alltag in den entsprechenden Kulturen gelebt und umgesetzt werden. Außerdem ist mir bewusst geworden, dass eine Kultur nur über deren weniger sichtbare basale Werte und Normen zu verstehen ist.

  Für diese Erkenntnisse möchte ich mich noch einmal ganz herzlich bei Alexia und Stephan Petersen bedanke und würde mich sehr freuen, an einem weiteren Seminar teilnehmen zu dürfen.
  
  Mirjam Martin
  Studentin
  Fachhochschule Aachen (Aachen University of Applied Sciences), Aachen (www.fh-aachen.de)
  
  June, 2004
  

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Feedback on the workshop contents:

• Very well done!
• I got much more than I had expected
• Very well structured
• Very good and easy to understand and practice
• The eclectic mix of participants was very helpful for the various scenarios.
• At no time I felt bored; breaks were at the right time. The trainers knew how to get more information/comments out of the participants. Questions were answered by trainers but also drawing on the experience of the participants.
• Time was passing by quickly.
• I found the seminar interesting at all times, the amount of time dedicated to each topic was just right.
• I think it will help to understand other cultures and their behaviours and way of thinking. The case studies helped to see it in a practical way, not only theoretical.
• Lots of fun

Feedback on the workshop trainers:

• I never attended such a lively seminar! The trainers could not have been better, since experience and a great presentation complemented each other.
• This is one of the best seminars I ever visited! Your way of presenting facts is very motivating.
• It was the first time that I have participated in a seminar and didn't notice how time went by (very interesting)
• Very nice & friendly, "approachable" due to all kinds of personal examples and experiences.
• They create a very friendly and open atmosphere. Their own experience in this field contributes a lot and also gives them credibility.
• Great! The topics were perfectly linked and the discussion was always well moderated.
• Good non-verbal skills.
• Good body language!
• Ausstrahlung + Hilfsbereitschaft + soziale Kompetenz + fachliche Kompetenz = sehr gut
• • easy to understand
  • great charisma
  • very experienced
• Perfekt!
  • Aktives Zuhören
  • Keine Allgemeinplätze
  • Keine Trennung zwischen Theorie und Praxis oder praktischen Beispielen, daher nie langweilig, man sah immer einen Nutzen
    
  • Ihr ergänzt Euch gut
  • Ihr tretet selbstsicher auf, ohne arrogant zu wirken
• • good to follow
  • understanding was even better after getting to know examples & case studies
• I liked the large number of interesting examples and the combination of two trainers.
• Well planned and careful to include everybody's participation.
• Great!

If you're interested in what our other customers say, please see our testimonials page.

Last changes to this page: 2008/01/08

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