Communication Log

Communication Log

May 2022

Sarah Schmidt

Expresses and explains clear and specific personal perspectives on situations, events, issues, or phenomena and describes influences on those perspectives.

Demonstrates understanding of diverse audiences by communicating and collaborating using verbal and non-verbal behavior, language, and strategies appropriate to specific audiences.

Over the course of my Junior year, I participated in the International Friends Conversation Partner Program through Kent Stark State. This project included communicating and creating a project with other international students who were interested in similar topics to my own. Throughout this time, I’ve collected a majority of communication with my partners.

Starting this project, I didn't think how difficult it would be to communicate with other people internationally. It took some to get used to major time differences and cultural differences. Being from the United States, I am used to direct and almost constant communication whereas in other countries they may not be checking their emails everyday. This was difficult at first when attempting to get in touch with my group members. It was especially interesting to experience this communication over a six month period. One of my group members was from Kazakhstan and experienced power outages and internet issues during a time of large violent protests. This didn't greatly impact any of our communication, but it was definitely a learning experience. Another thing I found interesting and educational was communicating with someone who’s first language is not the same as mine. This was generally the first time I had a long outstanding conversation with who’s first 3 languages were not English. I had a zoom call with this one group member and I found it fascinating that she could speak this many languages and all fluently. I compared it to the United States where only some people even learn or speak another language.