Ateneo’s cross cultural communication exercise: Negotiation Week with the University of South-Eastern Norway

From 11 to 16 September 2023, Ateneo de Manila University and the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) engaged in a collaborative two-week online negotiation exercise. This endeavor united participants from both institutions, specifically students from Ateneo enrolled in LAS 144.7 Cross Cultural Communications, under the guidance of Ms Mary Lou Rissa F Cunanan, and students from the University of South-Eastern Norway taking Cross Cultural Management under Associate Professor Mr Erik Lankut and Assistant Professor Mr Juel Helge Rye, both faculty members at the University of South-Eastern Norway's School of Business situated at Campus Kongsberg.

Throughout the week of Negotiation Exercises, Ateneo students worked hand in hand with their counterparts from USN to collectively tackle assigned negotiation scenarios and case studies, which posed a distinctive challenge: effectively leveraging cultural insights to navigate the intricacies within the presented cases.

The opening session of Negotiation Week on 11 September 2023, aimed to foster rapport and mutual understanding among the participants while honing their cross-cultural communication skills. This session commenced with a joint lecture delivered by Ms Mary Lou Rissa F Cunanan, Mr Erik Lankut, and Mr Juel Helge Rye where students were introduced to each other, grouped accordingly, and guided into breakout rooms for preliminary exercises.

It is worth noting that the USN student body represented a diverse array of nationalities, with students from Mr Erik Lankut's and Mr Juel Helge Rye's class hailing not only from Norway but also from France, Germany, Spain, Latvia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

In this initial session, students delved into a cross-cultural case study commonly employed in multinational corporate training. The students' wide spectrum of reactions and decisions during this case study simulation underscored the rich tapestry of cultural nuances among the participants.

Over the week, students were tasked with arranging meetings within their designated groups to enhance connections and collaboratively address the Harvard-authored case study "Sally Soprano." In this role-playing activity, Atenean students represented a client management firm for the opera singer Sally Soprano, while their USN counterparts represented an opera house company. Each group received specific background information for their roles and advocated for their interests, focusing on fostering mutual understanding and brainstorming innovative solutions during the negotiation process.

The two-week online negotiation exercise between Ateneo de Manila University and the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) in September 2023 is a remarkable testament to the power of cross-cultural collaboration and academic cooperation. Throughout this period, students from both institutions came together to tackle complex negotiation scenarios, delving into the intricate world of cross-cultural communications. The diverse nationalities represented among the USN students added a rich layer of cultural diversity to the experience, highlighting the significance of understanding and leveraging these differences in global interactions. The joint efforts of the students culminated in a final debriefing session that showcased the true spirit of collaboration, as they shared insights and experiences, reinforcing the notion that transcending borders and cultures is not only possible but also highly rewarding in the realm of education and beyond.