INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP: „Effectively Communicating with German and International Colleagues”

Our first-semester MBA students participated in a dynamic one-day workshop on intercultural communication, conducted by Ms. Barbara Sametinger, who has over 20 years of experience as a communication and leadership consultant. She founded Sametinger Business English and Cross-Cultural Training. Ms. Sametinger has worked extensively with multinational teams and business professionals across global corporations. Her class was less of a lecture and more of an interactive, high-energy discussion with games and real-world case studies, which kept us involved and self-evaluating.
The workshop introduced the “Iceberg Model” of culture, showing that visible behaviors represent only a small part of deeper values (basic assumptions). Students learned how perception and culture shape the way we interpret others’ actions and how moving from judgement to observation improves better understanding. Through the “Cultural Compass” framework, participants understood how different working styles, leadership approaches, and communication preferences are across cultures, with a focus on German values of structure, clarity, and professionalism.
One of the key takeaways from today's session was how to give and receive feedback effectively by using a four-step, brain-friendly method: Ask, Describe, Effect, and Request. Students applied this method in real-world case studies and role-played and were amazed by its practical impact. The day ended with insights on developing intercultural competence—recognizing emotional “red flags” and approaching differences with curiosity. The workshop equipped the students with the advantageous means of communicating confidently and effectively through various international scenarios.

text and photos: Hoori Mirzaeiazar