Embracing Cross-Cultural Experiences

You have lived in more than four countries throughout your life; how did traveling to different countries challenge your thinking and allow you to act with curiosity, make bold decisions, and take calculated risks?

At a very young age, I had to adapt to a new culture and immerse myself in new environments. Growing up in Brazil, studying in Germany, working in the US, and then moving to China were incredibly enriching experiences.

I remember when I began my studies in Germany, I did not speak the language and had no family to support me throughout that transition. I quickly realized I had to learn to navigate unspoken norms in this new society. I did this by observing the people who inspired me and taking notice of their traditions, ways of solving problems, discipline, and boldness. From early on, I decided to be open to learning and curious about new experiences.

I also recognized that traveling often requires making bold decisions, taking risks, and being open to surprises. And so, I quickly became comfortable with choosing to explore unfamiliar destinations, trying new activities, and interacting with people from different backgrounds.

 As you moved to different geological locations, did you experience any challenges adjusting to new countries and how did you overcome them?

In total I spent over 8 years studying, working, and living in China – between Shanghai and Beijing. I went from being an international student to a locally hired employee, which provided me with very different experiences of the Chinese ecosystem. 

One challenge I faced when I started working in China was adjusting to the organization’s hierarchical structure. To overcome this, I approached people I admired and trusted for support. I started a relationship with a mentor to understand the nuances of the company, culture, and future perspectives.

Working in China also provided me within the opportunity to build a professional network comprising both local experts and international professionals, which further enhanced my career prospects and knowledge exchange. I learned that people are happy to connect with new colleagues and help support them at work. Because of this experience, I believe that no one must go through difficulties alone. When we share a problem with someone, it starts to get smaller – it’s not only ours to hold.

Because of my rich cross-cultural background, adapting to a new culture is not something I am afraid to experience. Nevertheless, traveling as often as I have has taken a lot of energy, too. To be able to live a life full of new experiences, I truly believe in the power of building a support system – I feel support from my family and my home country, Brazil, but I do not see them daily. To account for this, I value the support coming from my peers, colleagues, friends, and community. It helps me move forward each day. I believe that if you show appreciation to the people around you, keep calm, and be polite to the world – everything else will evolve with time.

How has your cross-cultural background benefitted you in the workplace? Can you tell us about a time when working with a diverse team led to a more effective approach or provided an innovative solution?

While working at the United Nations in New York City, I worked on a very small committee of high-level diplomats. For this team, embracing each team member’s different experiences and backgrounds was a key driver for our success. Coming from a cross-cultural background, I could connect with others on the team and create trusting relationships. I had a rich understanding and appreciation for different cultural norms, language nuances, communication styles, and business practices, which increased my social awareness and enabled me to collaborate more effectively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

My multitude of experiences in Brazil, Germany, the US, and China, have taught me to be open to and respect people's working styles – I believe this is key in a multinational organization. As a team, we uncovered a more comprehensive and effective approach to achieving our goals by bringing together our different backgrounds and experiences, ultimately leading to the team's success.

My family, specifically my grandmother, taught me the strength in giving back. Today, I try to focus on the bigger picture of every story and actively seek a solution to every problem. I believe that individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives can contribute to meaningful and impactful projects in numerous ways; by bringing fresh insights, challenging existing assumptions, offering alternative viewpoints, and proposing innovative solutions.