US Culture Awareness Training in India

Posted On: October 27, 2015

, fIn Between 2014 and 2018, Authentic Journeys provided US culture awareness training for Indians working for UST in Kochi, Trivandrum, Chennai, and Bangalore.

The US Cultural Awareness Training Program (USCAT) was created by Authentic Journeys in partnership with UST and its training affiliates readied the associates for their short and long-term business trips onsite to over a dozen locations in the US.

During that time UST (known then as UST Global) had four locations in India – Kochi (Infopark), Trivandrum (Technopark), Bangalore (Prestige Shantiniketan), and Chennai (ASV Suntech Park). During the launch of the USCAT at each location (Kochi launch groups, photographed, below), center heads and site managers took time from their busy schedules to introduce the program and express it’s importance to the business process. This communicates a commitment to cross-cultural understanding company wide. (Note the collage below. The image with the mustard background was taken in Chennai. In this image, I stand with the participants and the center head, standing next to me, below)

Launching US Cultural Awareness Training Program, Kochi

Interested to know more about our program –

Work and Live in the US? Click here!

Preparing Indian Expats to Come to the USA

What does UST do?

According to the UST Website

With the right talent and tools, we craft disruptive solutions, and provide the resources and expertise clients need to bring them to life.

More about UST here.

Who attends this training?

Typically associates attending this training have at five to 25 years experience in the IT sector. A majority of participants have been working on virtual, software teams with U.S. counterpart and clients for at least a few years. This trip prepares a majority of the participants for their first expat assignment to the U.S.

Learning American Style Business Introductions

What do participants learn in this training?

This instructor-led section of the USCAT prepares associates for practical realities of interactions in the American office and society. The current syllabus is listed below. (For all available topics for expat assignees, their spouses and children, click here.)

Preparing Indian Teams to Go Onsite

Expat Preparation & Cross-Cultural Training Syllabus Outline

(Can be tailored to your team’s needs.)

Meet, Greet & Get to Know

- - Introductions
  - Handshakes & Body Language Tips
    Small Talk
  - Workshop- Avoidable, Acceptable & Cautionary Topics
  - How to handle unknown delicate or taboo topics
  - Handling diversity, inclusion, group discussions

Getting There & Getting Around

- - Packing bags & traveling there
  - Visa and Immigration Safety
  - Getting around in the US- Public & private transport
  - Personal Safety
  - Finding a Place to Live- Leases & housing tips
  - How to identify a good neighborhood, school district, daycare
  - Weather, time & season
  - Weather and average temperatures – Clothing needed
  - Time zones & daylight saving time

Basic Expectations – In the Office & Society

- - Time management
  - Dress codes
  - Body language & personal space
  - Different kinds of meetings
  - Meal-time and restaurant etiquette
  - Public Hygiene & Restroom Etiquette
  - Going to an American’s House

American Holidays Activity
Participants create conversations between onsite and offshore colleagues about common American Holidays

More Photos from the Program US Culture Awareness for Indians

Welcome to the US Cross Culture Awareness

Chennai based IT teams prepare for travel to the USA

Kochi Infopark professionals ready to go to the United States!

Kerala professionals attend US culture travel program

From Silicon Valley India to Silicon Valley USA

Jennifer Kumar at the kickoff of the US Culture Awareness Training Program in Kochi

More photos – Trainees and Training Facilities 2014
2015 Photos of participants and office parks – Technopark, Bangalore (Prestige Shantiniketan)

We would be remiss to send our immense gratitude to the participants, the staff of UST Global, GAMA and Mentor Global for the continued success of this project.

US Culture Training for Offshore Teams in India

Check out our other training programs at HONE.

US Culture Awareness Training in India