The emotional aspects of cross-cultural collaboration: assumptions and challenges

Abstract

This article explores the emotional dimensions of cross-cultural collaboration. It is based on two major experiences of collaboration in the area of pastoral care, guidance and counselling first, one between the School of Education, University of Cambridge, and the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, and second, a project involving Russia, Netherlands, the USA and the United Kingdom. In the article the authors argue that cross-cultural collaboration is similar to other forms of collaboration but that it magnifies aspects of the process. The processes of challenge are enhanced, as are the benefits of this. The authors also argue that it is beneficial to reflection in that long-held assumptions are held up for scrutiny; they explore the emotional dimensions of cross-cultural work, the stages in this process and the challenges