Connecting Across Cultures

Connecting across cultures

When you arrive somewhere new, having a local friend is priceless.

The University of Oregon has assigned a student envoy to each of the 200-plus delegations visiting from around the world for the World Athletics Championships Oregon22. In a program led by the Division of Global Engagement and the Office of the President, the envoys—who come from different majors, backgrounds, and nationalities—will provide daily support to the delegations for the duration of their time in Oregon.

Envoys will act as guides and cross-cultural interpreters, facilitating tours of campus and the region, providing logistical aid, and showcasing the welcoming nature of the university and broader community. Participants were selected based on language proficiency and/or a connection to the country of the delegation. As part of their training, they completed two- and three-term courses on language, cross-cultural engagement, group management, service-oriented hospitality, and more. You can view a selection of videos envoys created as part of their coursework to help orient and welcome visiting delegations.

We caught up with three envoys on their motivations to participate.

Chloé Webster

Freshman; planning, public policy and management

“Our world is getting smaller and smaller. It’s important for anyone to experience working with someone who isn’t like you, who may think differently and come from a different background. Whether that’s in your own country or with someone from a different country, anytime you have to come out of your comfort zone and rethink your values as to what is right and good, any opportunity you get to do that, is something that will benefit you for the rest of your life."

Chloé Webster

Freshman; planning, public policy and management

“Our world is getting smaller and smaller. It’s important for anyone to experience working with someone who isn’t like you, who may think differently and come from a different background. Whether that’s in your own country or with someone from a different country, anytime you have to come out of your comfort zone and rethink your values as to what is right and good, any opportunity you get to do that, is something that will benefit you for the rest of your life."

Nicole Williams

Master’s student; language teaching studies

“It feels very momentous—what a unique experience to be able to talk to so many people from different countries, here in the US. I’m interested in the linguistic exchange that will happen. Language is the ‘eye’ of culture—it gives you a glimpse into what a culture and people hold as important. It gives you a sense of how people experience the world.”

Nicole Williams

Master’s student; language teaching studies

“It feels very momentous—what a unique experience to be able to talk to so many people from different countries, here in the US. I’m interested in the linguistic exchange that will happen. Language is the ‘eye’ of culture—it gives you a glimpse into what a culture and people hold as important. It gives you a sense of how people experience the world."

Taylor Hebert

Junior; business administration

“I love the fact the university is investing in their students and giving them this opportunity. I’m hoping to learn more about other people and other cultures while they’re here. I want to always learn, I’m very open-minded, I’m hoping to learn how the world comes together for such a big event.”

Taylor Hebert

junior; business administration

“I love the fact the university is investing in their students and giving them this opportunity. I’m hoping to learn more about other people and other cultures while they’re here. I want to always learn, I’m very open-minded, I’m hoping to learn how the world comes together for such a big event.”

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