Counteracting Misperceptions About the United States

by Darla Deardorff, Jane Dunham, and Lyubov Kichinga

Campus and community programs at colleges and universities that successfully counteract misperceptions of internationals about the United States and U.S. Americans include:

• Friendship programs
• Conversation clubs/partners
• Community volunteerism – internationals volunteer in the community with non-profits (Habitat for Humanity, soup kitchens, food banks, tutoring children, etc.)
• Field trips into the community – visit hospitals, nursing homes, farms, factories, etc.
• Book discussion groups
• Multicultural poetry slams
• Global Women’s clubs
• Children’s Playgroups
• Holiday hosting
• Meal hosting programs – to get internationals into American homes

Best Practices* Include Programs that:

• Communicate aspects of American cultural values
• Offer pleasure, information, or expertise in the spirit of exchange and mutual respect
• Form personal relationships
• Tap into local cultural or historical traditions
• Reach out to internationals’ cultures and shows respect for their cultural backgrounds
• Show a “slice of daily life”
• Involve both Americans and internationals in mutual sharing (i.e. joint musical performances)
• Demonstrate the great variety of outlooks, cultures, and people that comprise American culture

*adapted from “Diplomacy that works: Best practices in cultural diplomacy” by C.P. Schneider, George Mason University, Center for Arts and Culture.