Creating more opportunities for dialogue is just the first step
What would you suggest to an international student culturally very different from their lab to help the principal investigator and current members understand their culture? For example, some behaviors can be misinterpreted if people are not familiar with the culture. What is the best way to help people understand without changing who we are?
Studying in another country can catalyze a rich exchange that benefits you and the students and faculty that you work with. However, blending your cultural traditions with those of your host country can be challenging. To bring insight to this topic, Misael Romero-Reyes, a fourth-year graduate student in my lab who is originally from Mexico, has joined me this month. Misael is a leader at Emory University, where he has been working to advance diversity and inclusion and create opportunities for international students to build support networks and community.
