Books

• Family and Human Development Across Cultures - A View From The Other Side
• The Handbook of Intercultural Training
• The Art of Coming Home
• Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands
• The Occasional Trainer's Handbook

1. If you are interested in training material, there is good news for you. The Handbook of Intercultural Training 2nd Edition, 1996, by Dan Landis and Rabi S. Bhagat is hot off the press and brings articles from 37 well-known contributors.

The book has three parts, each bringing very interesting subjects, including: Designing Intercultural Training, Intercultural Training Competencies, Models of Diversity Training, Re-entry Training for Intercultural Sojourners, A Framework and Model for Understanding Latin American and Latino/Hispanic Cultural Patterns, Sociocultural and Contextual Challenges of Organizational Life in Eastern Europe, Russia and the West, and Developing Expatriate Managers for Southeast Asia.

2. Family and Human Development Across Cultures - A View From The Other Side is the culmination of 15 years of research by Çigdem Kagitçibasi, former AFS International Trustee and current AFS Turkey Board Member.

Her book presents a refreshingly different portrait of human development from "the other side" — the perspective of the "majority world." It also focuses on the development of the self and competence. The results obtained through her study call for efforts to support the family and to build on its existing strengths for promoting more optimal human development. Çigdem is one of the best in the field of cultural psychology.

To order, contact:

3. One of the latest publications from Intercultural Press is the book titled The Art of Coming Home by Craig Storti. Hey you trainers, people going abroad, people returning from an overseas sojourn, volunteers, host families and all the ones working with exchange programs— I bet you will find this book a great and helpful resource.

AFSers will definitely agree with one of the principles of this book which says that "all the evidence, both anecdotal and statistical, confirms that reentry is in fact a complicated and usually difficult experience." One Japanese businessman quoted in this book felt very strongly about this, "My advice about coming home? Don't".

Craig Storti provides information, analysis and suggestions designed to transform the reentry experience from an struggle to an art. There is an interesting list related to 'What Family and Friends can do' to make the transition back home smoother for you. Take a look at some of them:

• Show interest. Returnees very much need to share their experiences with you.
• Don't be offended when they criticize their home country (which is also yours) and constantly compare it unfavorably with their overseas post.
• Don't make them feel defensive. Sometimes, by not understanding how hard reentry can be, you make returnees feel that there's something wrong with them, that they should be happy and content, that there's no reason they should be having a hard time.
• Don't pressure them to visit all the time. Parents and grandparents take note: give your loved ones some breathing room.

And, related to 'What Returnees Offer Their Organization' I guess you are familiar with some of them already:

• The returnee may have invaluable knowledge of certain regions, countries, or markets with which the company or organization does business or competes.
• The returnee brings a different, perhaps unique, perspective to issues, discussions, and problem solving.
• The returnee is likely to be more flexible in dealing with others and more open to new ideas.
• The returnee has increased tolerance for different ideas, behaviors and opinions.
• The returnee is more able to compromise, to be more humble and less rigid.
• The returnee understands the home culture better.
• The returnee has more self-confidence, having survived and prospered in a challenging environment.

The audience to whom The Art of Coming Home is addressed is wide and includes: students, spouses, employees, Peace Corps Volunteers, Military Personnel and Missionaries. The book is divided in 5 easy understanding and readable chapters and it also has a special acknowledgment to Betsy Hansel of AFS International for her contribution with useful articles on exchange students.

Want to know more? You buy the book by contacting:

. The price? $17.95 plus $3.00 ($4.00 outside the U.S.) to cover shipping costs.

4. Would you like to have a useful guide about "How to Do Business in Sixty Countries"? Don't think twice- get the book: Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands, by Terri Morrison, Wayne A. Conaway and George A. Borden, Ph.D. It definitely should be in your bookshelf !

Each chapter in this book focuses on a single country. Every chapter is broken down into four areas. "Country Background" covers the basics: where the country is, a brief history, the languages, the religion, the population, etc. The "Business Practices" section tells you exactly what to expect when you do business in that country: concepts of time and punctuality, making appointments, how to negotiate, etc. "Protocol" will be useful anytime you deal with a person from that country, whether you are traveling to a foreign country or hosting visitors . This section includes such information as greetings, forms of address, gestures, and gift giving. Finally, the "Cultural Orientation" portion takes a scholarly approach to intercultural communications.

A few examples that can help you and your students going abroad:

• When visiting a French-Canadian family, be aware that houses are divided into 'public' rooms (which visitors may enter) and "private" rooms (which guests may enter only when asked). The kitchen is often a private room; do not enter unless asked.
• Dinner in Colombia is normally eaten between 7.00 and 9.00 p.m. but a dinner party will begin and end later. Guests will not arrive until at least 8.00 p.m., and people will sit down to dinner any time from 10.00 p.m. to midnight.
• In Denmark, punctuality is very important; be exactly on time for all business appointments. Danes expect punctuality for social engagements as well.
• If you are negotiating in Japan, a Japanese response "I'll consider it" may actually mean "no".

Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands, 1994, 438 pages, $19.95 plus shipping and handling. Write to:

If you are connected to the Internet visit its home page at http://www.adamsmedia.com

5. The Occasional Trainer's Handbook by Rebecca Bullard & others is a 'must have' in your bookshelf ! It gives you practical and useful information for trainers which will fulfill your needs for meetings and training sessions.

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