Developed by Laurette Bennhold-Samaan for the Peace Corps, 1996.
1. Open Mindedness
Open-mindedness is demonstrated by a willingness to try to understand and appreciate (although not necessarily to adopt) the values and beliefs of others and the fact that a different point of view is equally valid.2. Sense of Humor
A sense of humor is important because in another culture there are many things that lead one to cry, get angry, or be annoyed, embarrassed, or discouraged. The ability to laugh it off and not take one’s self or the situation too seriously will help guard against sadness.3. Ability to Cope with Failure
The ability to tolerate failure is critical because everyone fails at something overseas. Persons who go overseas are often those who have been successful in their home environments and thus may have rarely experienced failure. Experience with failure is important in developing a range of coping behaviors.4. Communicativeness
Many situations in other cultures are confusing and ambiguous. A successful volunteer needs to be able to express his/her feelings and thoughts, as well as to be able to ask for help in interpreting unfamiliar behaviors and subtle cultural cues.5. Flexibility and Adaptability
The ability to respond to or to tolerate the ambiguity of new situations is a crucial factor in cross cultural adjustment. This may mean having to alter and/or give up familiar behavior patterns and become familiar with or take on new behaviors of the host family and culture.6. Curiosity
Curiosity is the demonstrated desire to know about other people, places, ideas, etc. This skill is important for intercultural travelers because they are constantly being confronted with new and different events and behaviors, and a genuine interest in those differences usually leads to positive response.7. Positive and Realistic Expectations
It is well known that volunteers choose to spend time overseas for a variety of reasons. It is important to notice how realistically the volunteer understands that this experience will be difficult but worth the reward if he/she perseveres.8. Tolerance for Differences
A person will need to be able to tolerate people who have different values, beliefs, and practices. This implies an inner strength to be able not only to learn about others, but also to feel secure within one's self while in the company of others who may feel, look, and act in a different manner.9. Positive Regard for Others
This factor includes the ability to express warmth, empathy, respect, and positive regard for other people. People are most effective when they are able to communicate this positive regard for others, even when a situation or behavior may make them feel uncomfortable.10. Sense of Self
A clear, secure feeling about oneself is usually present in individuals who are neither weak nor overbearing in their relationships with others.Persons with this strong, secure sense of themselves stand up for what they believe but do not cling to those beliefs in the face of new information.
