Culture and Communication Consultants: Undergraduates and Graduate Students Learning Together
Mehrin Faisal is a rising junior at Kirkland House, concentrating in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology with a minor in Global Health and Health Policy. She enjoys participating in social and cultural events and promoting cultural appreciation. Mehrin is a Board Member of the Public Service Committee of the Bengali Students Association at Harvard. She is excited to share about her journey as a Culture and Communication Consultant over the past year.
Through being a Culture and Communication Consultant (CCC) in the Professional Communication Program for International Teachers and Scholars, I am able to take part in the professional development of international graduate students by providing feedback on English-speaking skills as well as on the process of teaching and interacting with students. This role is both rewarding and enriching as I work with them on enhancing their language skills and fluency, and I also learn about the different ways people communicate overall, from using body language to eye contact, to appropriate vocabulary. I have the chance to learn with the graduate students about different fields of study through micro-teaching sessions in the classroom and in our language partner meetings.
Working as a language partner is a great opportunity to share our cultures and backgrounds, which helps to form a bond that can go beyond the classroom environment into friendship. I honestly think this is the best part of the role since I love interacting with people, especially when there is time to talk and learn about their unique experiences. I enjoy going to new places with my language partners to explore while we discuss various topics. The language partner meetings are more than a way for them to improve their fluency; they are also a time for us to deepen our connections and learn about one another.
My experiences learning with international PhD students through the Bok Center have taught me about graduate level academics and research work. I’ve also been able to learn about different cultures. I really enjoyed the graduate students’ stories of their lived experiences in different parts of the world. My work as a CCC has given me the opportunity to develop professionally, especially thinking about my own communication and listening skills. From meeting the graduate students in the classroom, to conversing with them in language partner meetings and discussion sessions, to going to Harvard affiliated events together, we form a bond that allows us to grow and learn hand in hand!
To see more about the Bok Center’s dedicated programming for international scholars, visit Professional Communication Program for International Teachers and Scholars.