Communication

What can be more beautiful than experiencing a culture

by interacting with its people in their language?

From my international perspective, communication is the key to any experience. Whether at school, work, volunteering, or community involvement, I always had to interact with different people to achieve the goals of my team or group. Living in four countries and visiting around 100 cities from 19 countries, I understood how important communication is. First, I needed to discuss at school with my classmates and professors, many times in a language different than my native one. Second, I needed to communicate with people if I got lost or I did not know how to find a university building or city attraction. Lastly, I needed to communicate with local people and other visitors to learn more about different countries and cultures.

There is no better way to explore a culture than by learning the language. Being attracted by international affairs, I am always curious to explore new places, traditions, and cultures. This passion gave me the needed courage to go to study overseas in Croatia and over the ocean in the United States. Unfortunately, I could not learn Croatian because the classes were in time conflict with my schedule at the faculty. This lead to less close interactions with Croatians. Most people knew English, so answered my questions, but I was always perceived as a tourist. In America, since I knew their language very well, I was treated like a family member. It might be also a difference in the culture, especially in Texas, well-known for its hospitality. I already knew relatively well English when I started graduate school in the United States. Many people complimented my English skills and got closer to me. Coincidence or not, most of my friends are American. One of them offered me as a birthday gift last year a book to learn the English expressions that I struggled to understand.

Bush School international students, invited for a dinner with the family of Dr. Matthew Upton, Assistant Dean for Diversity & Student Affairs:

"We cannot travel the whole world, but we can gather the world in one place."

Bush School Fulbright women attending the Elect Her event

Communication in a professional setting is essential as well. Starting with school programs and continuing with job activities, I needed to interact with people for achieving better outcomes. By sharing diverse opinions and ideas, we contributed to a better product. Especially in the case of diplomacy and governance, my main interests, I cannot achieve anything without interacting with other people. By knowing their necessities, I can better understand their situation and promote their interests.

The first principle of effective communication learned at the Bush School is to be succinct. Specifically, to put my bottom line up front. (BLUF) For my first group presentation and for many that followed, I practiced selecting a BLUF. Since I am attending a Briefing class this semester, I realize how important is BLUF. High-level officials and International Affairs professionals are always busy, thus require briefing updates for not more than five minutes.

The second principle of effective communication learned at the Bush School is to be persuasive. Specifically, to have a supported "So What?" after my BLUF. In my last semester, I decided to experience how is to take a class in the other department, Master of Public Service and Administration (MPSA). Although part of the Bush School too, I realized my MPSA peers see the world through other lenses. International affairs students are thinking more broadly, while public policy people - more specific. Besides having a BLUF, MPSA students use a "So What" to better explain the relevance of the BLUF identified. During my Public Policy Formation class, I learned how to deliver effective presentations about the relevance of a recent policy discussed in the national and international news and compare it with similar policies adopted abroad.

When communicating with other professionals, besides speaking the same language, it is essential to be succinct and persuasive. By delivering an effective message, we can achieve or help others achieve their objectives faster. Since the international affairs environment is continuously changing, officials require rapid communication of new information. By focusing on the main points, we also save time in preparing other tasks.

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