Intercultural Training
by Andrea Sebben

for exchanges, university,
& courses abroad

Getting ready for packing?

Are you going on an exchange program, university or language course abroad?

It would be great to have a "ready-made recipe" on how to adapt quickly and be successful right away in this endeavor, right?

But it's not quite like that... We don't have ready-made recipes, but our ingredients are fantastic

so you can create your own recipe!

My name is Andrea and I wish you the best exchange program in the world!

After living in 5 countries (Canada, Belgium, United States, Italy & Spain) where I went to school and did my masters on intercultural sciences +30 years working with the adaptation of Brazilians abroad and foreigners in Brazil, I came to the conclusion that there is a huge difference between receiving that "little push" when it's time to adapt - or - feeling alone and helpless during the process.

I know the joys and challenges of living abroad, of meeting new people, of popping the bubble of loneliness that we find ourselves in at the beginning, of, with great difficulty, gradually conquering the language that at first seemed impossible. Not only because I lived abroad, but because I dedicated my entire life to studying Intercultural Psychology. And one thing I am sure of: we cannot prosper if we feel afraid or confused in the process.

That's why I've gathered the most important topics I've learned about adapting abroad and make them available to people, through pre- or post-boarding Intercultural Training, the books I've written, and individual consultations to help you in a way you've never seen before.

Because those who know the way encourage others to walk it.

And what are the benefits for
exchange agencies?

Low number of early returns;
Low cost of relocation (family, school, work);
Improved exchange student performance;
High productivity/use during stay;
Greater adjustment and adaptability;
Greater host satisfaction;
Fewer problems between the organization and Brazilian agencies;
Lower rate of problems between exchange students and their families in Brazil;
Low incidents that could harm the company or local partner;
Significant improvement in the relationship between agency and client;

Program

by Andrea Sebben

• Migration Polygon Theory®;
• The characters involved and their feelings;
• The basic characteristics of the migratory experience;
• Culture shock: a very obsolete concept;
• Adaptation theories: interpersonal and intercultural variables;
• Parents adapting their children and vice-versa;
• Breaking the bubble to get in: I have no friends, what now?
• Relationship with the agency: ambivalent, demanding, moving;

• Country of origin x Country of destination – how people behave;
• Mental scheme: culture is not what's outside, it's what is inside;
• Migration as a change of self;
• More bridges, fewer barriers: the essence of cultural exchange;
• Risk and success factors in the Exchange;
• What if I want to go back?
• Or, what if I don't want to go back?
• Host families, roommates and all those strange people: who are they?
• Local coordinator, Principal, Counselor, Coach and the ombudsman group;
• A new country, this unknown friend;
• Long-distance communication between parents and children;
• Preparing to board the children;
• Preparing to leave the parents;
• The boyfriend/girlfriend who stays - or goes in the suitcase?
• 24-hour support;
• Weekly meetings with other exchange students and families for rich exchanges of experiences;
• Online or in-person training;

Intercultural Training by Andrea Sebben ​ for exchanges, university, & courses abroad