My name is Paul and I am an intern at AFS Intercultural Programs. When I started my internship at AFS, I knew little more about Intercultural Learning other than an initial interest.

Since I have a B.A. in International Studies, my experiences share some similarities to AFS and Intercultural Learning, but my understanding of the subject was at the most basic level.  I came from studying the realms of politics, history, security, conflict resolution and a bit of economics thrown in for good measure.  Of course I was aware of the fields of Intercultural Studies, but this time last year, I considered the concept of intercultural learning to be little more than an interesting, but mainly theoretical, lens through which to view those from different cultures.

All this changed once I saw first-hand the vast array of work that AFS Intercultural Programs accomplishes.  I learned that it is wrong to simply understand Intercultural Learning as an academic approach to cultural interaction with only limited practical application.  Intercultural Learning is nothing less than a powerful tool that allows an individual to know how to understand and navigate what makes each of us different. What a useful, relevant and practical skill to possess!

At first glance the fields of International Relations and Intercultural Learning may seem very similar.  Yet the two subjects in many ways speak different languages. An enthusiast of International Studies learns about a nation with a nod to formal culture, whereas an enthusiast of Intercultural Learning may learn about the same nation with a nod to subjective culture. For example, International Relations is a field that is generally more focused on analyzing all the possible factors of why the particular nation as a whole may act. In contrast, Intercultural Learning is a field that is slightly narrower and focuses specifically on the possible cultural factors behind people’s actions within the same nation. Therefore, International Relations is more system oriented and Intercultural Learning is more oriented towards understanding individuals within their own cultural contexts.

There is a definite learning curve I currently navigate as I further understand how intercultural learning is a field that is unique, essential and practical. This is the first post in a weekly series dedicated to describing my process becoming familiar with intercultural learning.  I will take a subject every week, and look at it through intercultural learning ‘lens’ and comparing it to international relations ‘lens.’

So far this process has allowed be to really come to appreciate the value of ICL as an important tool that I can use to adapt when I interact with people from different cultural backgrounds. This is the heart of the AFS mission–understanding and respecting difference.  My journey to understand the distinct and useful qualities of Intercultural learning will lead me to have an even deeper understanding of AFS’s work, since the two are intertwined.

Look for my post next week about one diplomat’s six winters in Central Asia!

Paul Edinger is a strategic operations intern for the Intercultural Learning department at AFS International, where he works to facilitate the implementation of ICL strategy throughout the AFS Network. His time at AFS began in April of 2011 with the Development and Branding department and he continues in 2012 as an intern for ICL. Prior to joining AFS he taught English, Spanish and computer literacy courses to Guatemalan and Salvadoran immigrants to the United States while obtaining his B.A. in International Studies with a concentration in Latin America. He completed minors in Anthropology, Political Science, Latino Studies, and Spanish Language Studies.