A Pocket Guide to Crossing Cultures

Abstract

International students, expatriates and immigrants all face the challenges of adapting to life in a new culture. Psychological research provides insights about managing the stress of crossing cultures and  developing the skills required to be effective in a different cultural context.

This event is free and open to all. 

About Professor Colleen Ward

Colleen Ward is a Professor of Cross-cultural Psychology and Founding Director of the Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

Professor Ward received her PhD in Psychology (1977) at Durham University. Prior to her current appointment, she has held teaching and research positions at the University of the West Indies (Trinidad), Science University of Malaysia, National University of Singapore, and University of Canterbury (New Zealand). She is internationally recognised as a leading authority on psychological aspects of Cultures in Contact, particularly how immigrants and minority group members negotiate living within and between their heritage culture and the cultures of the wider society (acculturation) and how ethnic and cultural groups within diverse societies perceive and relate to each other (intercultural relations). Her most recent work has concentrated on the relationships among multicultural, diversity-inclusive environments, social cohesion and psychological well-being in educational, organisational and national political contexts. (read more)