I’ve moved through the world as a sojourner, someone who lives in a “foreign” country for one or more years with the intention of returning to his or her country of origin. As a college student, I lived in Spain and traveled throughout Europe. Then in my early career, I worked in the Southern Africa region in Zimbabwe and in South Africaand I’ve learned many lessons for making a successful transition between cultures.
I learned what large companies have always known: to succeed in an international transition, do not resist local culture, but embrace it. For instance, in South Korea, McDonald’s sells a Bulgogi Burger and Shanghai Spice Chicken Burger; Starbucks blends spices to reflect local usage and customizes its breakfast sandwiches to reflect local tastes; Dunkin Donuts sells special treats and gift boxes to celebrate “Pepero Day” each November 11th, a holiday when young lovers celebrate one another and students appreciate teachers with chocolates. The key to achieving global cultural competency is cultivating an understanding of your particular localityor localizing your life.
Develop a City, or Locality, Orientation
