Intercultural Training: Beginnings, Now, and What’s Next?

Like so much else, intercultural training has evolved over the years. Washington, DC has played an important role in the development of intercultural training. It was a hub In the early days with its international community, headquarters for The Peace Corps, the State Department, plus so many government agencies and universities. It is still home for an array of intercultural trainers, coaches, and consultants. Together we will trace the history and current status of intercultural training providing context for what we do, where it came from, and where it is going. Please join us to hear experts from the past and share your thoughts as to what intercultural training might look like in 5 or 15 years from now! 

Sandy Fowler lived the early history of intercultural training beginning in 1970 with an analysis of Peace Corps’ induction process, followed by 8 years of research for the US Navy in San Diego that included working on the development of BaFa' BaFa', the classic simulation game. She moved to DC to run the Navy’s Intercultural Training Program from 1978 to 1989, participating actively in SIETAR International and becoming SIETAR’s president 1986-88.

Carolyn Ryffel, a member of various SIETARs since 1989, is a training consultant and coach specializing in effective intercultural communication, success living and working globally, and the training and development of cross-cultural and language trainers. In her career of over 30 years, 19 of those outside of the United States, she has worked within multinational corporations, NGOs, non-profits and educational institutions. Her current work incorporates the often overlooked somatic elements of learning into facilitating behavior change.   

Julia Gaspar-Bates is President of Intercultural Alliances, LLC, a cross-cultural training and consulting firm. She has spent more than 30 years living and working internationally and more than two decades helping her clients navigate cultural differences at work. Julia has been involved with SIETAR since 2002 where she has held a number of roles as leader for SIETAR DC local chapter, annual conference co-chair and most recently on the SIETAR USA Board of Directors and as part of the SIETAR USA webinar planning committee.