China is one of the few places in the world where a statement can be completely true and completely false all at the same time. With a rich history and strong cultural values that are now being redefined by a complicated contemporary society, China can be a daunting place to navigate.
We’re here to help!
Today we are launching our first-ever online training course titled "Serving Well in China" for people working in China or preparing to work in China.
Hosted on the Udemy platform, this course is less about a set of answers and more about presenting a framework with which to process the complexities of China. When you encounter confusing situations or cultural differences, what you learn here will help you reconcile them with your cultural background and expectations.
The instructors of the course are I and my former colleague Amy Young, a regular ChinaSource contributor and author of the book Looming Transitions. Together we have more than 20 years of experience training and equipping people to work in China.
The latest ChinaSource Conversations podcast, “5 Keys for Adapting and Thriving in Chinese Cultural Settings,” features a discussion between Brent Fulton, Amy, and me about the course.
The course consists of five short videos (between 11 and 20 minutes in length), plus a quiz, reflection/discussion questions, and recommended resources for further study.
The content includes:
- Valuable information and insight on contemporary Chinese society and culture.
- An explanation of various cultural “rules” that govern how Chinese interact with one another.
- Practical advice on managing cultural differences.
- A description of the Chinese educational system and how it directly informs the worldview of people in China.
- An examination of areas of expectation that may need to be adjusted.
- Key principles for successful adjustment and living in China.
The price of the course is $40.00; however, for the month of April, we will be offering it for free with the coupon code “Courtyard-2.” Click here to go directly to the course on Udemy. Under the button that says “Take this course,” click “redeem a coupon. Enter the coupon code "Courtyard-2" to enroll in the course for free. This offer expires on April 30, 2016.
For those of you who enroll, we have a special offer: write a review for a chance to win a copy of my book Survival Chinese Lessons or Amy’s book Looming Transitions. We will give a book to the first 20 reviewers!
This online course is part of a new initiative called ChinaSource Institute, which we will be rolling out over the coming months. Building on the foundation of our content and publications, The ChinaSource Institute will allow us provide easily accessible, high quality professional services to equip those who are serving or plan to serve in China. This will include more online training courses, on-site training, speaking, as well consulting services.
Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs. Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University …View Full Bio
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