Cross-Cultural Pathways for Young Leaders

About

Cross-Cultural Pathways for Young Leaders is an intensive, interdisciplinary program focused on immersing students in Czech culture, language, and history, while also building skills in intercultural communication and leadership. The history-focused curriculum allows students to explore key milestones in the history of the Czech Republic with deep dives, e.g., into the topics of democracy and totalitarianism, through discussions with journalists at Radio Free Europe, or to reflect on the “Final Solution” in hands-on workshops. Students have the chance to explore current issues of international relations in discussions with senior diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at the US Embassy in Prague.

There will also be a focus on exploring the role Czech academia plays in societal innovation around the world; the Charles University module will be focused on societal innovations through soft diplomacy, the Hradec Kralove module focuses on innovations through humanities, and VUT Brno on innovations through science.

During the intercultural curriculum, they develop skills, knowledge, and understanding that will help them communicate and engage more appropriately and effectively in an interconnected world. They will increase their own cultural self-awareness and develop personal leadership skills to help them become more effective in an interdependent world. Over the course of the program, students execute and deliver a cultural comparative research project using Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory (2010). These projects are presented to the public, academia, and diplomats on the final full day of the program and serve as a testament to what the students have learned and the work they have put in throughout the course. Among others, students will also learn about opportunities for studying in the Czech Republic, including tours of Charles University, Brno University of Technology, and the University of New York in Prague, which include discussions with vice rectors and students.

The structure of the program is as follows: There will be 3 online sessions before the in-person program in Prague begins. The online sessions will focus on the logistics of the program and provide an opportunity to get to know other students and introduce some of the ideas and concepts that will be explored. The second part of the program is a 12-day, in-person intensive in Prague, Czech Republic

Course leader

Dr. Eva Janebova

Target group

Students aged 16-22 with Czech heritage, an interest in Czech culture, language, and history, and/or those interested in intercultural leadership. Students who do not have any Czech heritage are encouraged to apply. Students who are interested in studying at a Czech university are encouraged to apply

Course aim

This course aims to achieve the following learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of Czech culture, including czech cultural norms, aspects of Czech arts, including cinema and architecture, and aspects of the Czech political and educational system

2. Develop an understanding of the role of Czech academia in innovation, including in soft diplomacy, humanities, and sciences

3. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of Czech history, including understanding the nature of totalitarianism, defining the concept of totalitarianism and identifying its key characteristics, exploring the impact on society and understand how totalitarian regimes influenced political, social, cultural, and economic life in the Czech Republic.

4. Develop an understanding of the relationship between the Czech Republic and and United States, including diplomatic relations between the two countries, past and present, and the role of the American embassy and American diplomats in the Czech Republic

5. Apply both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in intercultural communication and leadership, including developing skills in networking and connecting with international peers and colleagues; Increase your ability to recognize and bridge cultural gaps and overcome challenges in heterogeneous environments by applying different techniques.

6. Design, execute, and present a research project over a short time period, including developing skills in data collection and comparative thinking, conducting a research presentation, and working within an international research team

Fee info

Fees INCLUDE Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day, accommodation in Prague and accommodation during university tours in other cities, public transportation within Prague and train tickets to other cities, transport to and from the airport, multiple leisure activities (including swimming, a bike tour, film screening, and cooking workshop), all program instruction, and 24/7 Chaperoning/supervision by the MIIC team. Fees DO NOT INCLUDE airfare to Prague