Welcome to the tenth and final post in the “10 Ways to Support Immigrants and Refugees” series!
#1: VOTE!
The conclusion of our 10 Ways to Support Immigrants and Refugees series is quite simple: if you care about immigrants and their rights, vote for candidates who support their rights.
Check out websites such as ISideWith to see how your values align with different candidates’ values. Encourage others in your community to vote and to vote for candidates that will uphold the rights of immigrants and refugees.
How do you stay updated on issues affecting immigrants and refugees in your community and across the globe? Let us know on our social media!
Welcome to the fifth post in the “10 Ways to Support Immigrants and Refugees” series!
#6: Stay Informed
Although we have already discussed educating yourself in this blog series, refugee and immigration rights and situations are constantly changing. New information is essential when it comes to staying up to date on social issues such as those impacting refugees and immigrants in the United States and across the globe. When you become passionate about these issues, it can be tempting to immediately talk about them to everyone you know. However, it is important to stay informed with these topics if you wish to become a strong advocate for immigrants and refugees.
The following resources may be helpful on your journey to becoming an informed immigrant and refugee advocate:
Welcome to the fourth post in the “10 Ways to Support Immigrants and Refugees” series!
#7: Support Direct Service Organizations
Nonprofits and other direct service organizations can always use the help of passionate volunteers! To support immigrant and refugee rights, volunteer for or work with a human rights-based nonprofit, such as the International Rescue Committee, the American Civil Liberties Union, or Samaritas.
Another way to directly support nonprofits and service organizations is to organize fundraising campaigns through platforms such as GoFundMe, Givebutter, or Facebook Fundraisers.
If you are interested in donating to or volunteering for local nonprofits, here are some options in Michigan:
Welcome to the second post in the “10 Ways to Support Immigrants and Refugees” series!
“Once I thought to write a history of the immigrants in America. Then I discovered that the immigrants were American history.”
– Oscar Handlin
#9: Speak Up and Speak Out
Advocating for refugees and immigrants involves communicating with others about the importance of immigration rights. Talking with family and friends can be an effective advocacy tool. In order to create impactful conversations, try introducing the subject of immigration in small pieces, over time, in order to avoid making your family and friends feel defensive.
Try to listen more than you talk, and listen with an open heart. Immigration rights are a hot-button topic for many Americans, but the more empathetic you can be in the moment, the more likely someone is to listen to your perspective. Lead the conversation with personal stories and shared values. Although it may be tempting to throw statistics at your conversation partner, data is not as compelling if there is no narrative to go with it. The best advocates invite people into the conversation instead of making people feel intimidated or confronted.
How do you stay updated on issues affecting immigrants and refugees in your community and across the globe? Let us know on our social media!
¡Vamos Pa’ Cuba! Puente Cultural Integration is planning its first trip to Cuba. Government policies keep changing and we have been paying close attention to the latest updates. In the last couple of months, the US has opened bids for domestic airline carriers to provide service to Cuba and has eliminated many restrictions for travel. We, like so many others, are anxious to see Cuba before their doors open to all tourism and trade. Interest has been great in the Metro Detroit area. Because this is unknown territory for US businesses, there is value in seeking out a cultural liaison that can help you to bridge the gap between the US and Cuba.
We are working with strategic partners and our initial trip falls under two categories allowed by the US State Dept. for travel to Cuba.
Educational Activities: exploration of cultural centers, museums, music, art, architecture, and cuisine.
People-to-People: our primary goal is to form relationships with various locals in multiple cities that will provide ongoing mutually beneficial relationships. We aim to eat with the locals, find dance instructors, meet musicians and honor their craft, connect with artisans, and stay in “casas particulares” to embrace the daily life of the Cuban people.
As of March 15th, the Department of Treasury has updated its FAQS page which includes the following, “Travel-related transactions are permitted by general license for certain travel related to the following activities, subject to the criteria and conditions in each general license: family visits; official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations; journalistic activity; professional research and professional meetings; educational activities; religious activities; public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people; humanitarian projects; activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes; exportation, importation, or transmission of information or information materials; and certain authorized export transactions.”
You’ll find dozens of articles and tips about traveling abroad. Some are applicable to our business travel as well as for pleasure. While most tips will focus on Europe, the cultures of Latin America have a deep European influence and can be a source of valuable tips when traveling for work.
Here are a few tips from Puente Cultural Integration for business travel in Latin America:
Dress the part
Err on the side of formality
Even (or especially) for social events – Latin Americans will dress up
No tennis shoes unless it’s an athletic event
You can always take off the sport coat & tie if you are overdressed
If everyone else is in business dress & you show up in khakis / polo – what role do you play?
Eat the local cuisine with your hosts
Nothing can kill a deal faster than your desire to eat at McDonald’s or TGI Friday’s
Insist that they take you to a local restaurant & let them order for you
One person (usually the highest exec) always picks up the check (do not offer to split the bill)
If you are buying the meal say “Les invito” (I’m inviting you all) & you must ASK the waiter for the bill “La cuenta, por favor” – they will never just bring it.
Enjoy your meal – it is not uncommon for a “business” lunch / dinner to last 2-3 hours.
Say “Provecho” (Bon Apetit) before eating & “¡Salud!” (Cheers!) before drinking
Business is done after hours
Relationships matter – ask about their family
Real conversations matter – find out what they love to do
Business deals will be sealed the next day, don’t insist on keeping the business talk going out of the office
Use the out-of-office “social” time to build the relationship & the business will get handled more effectively
Be really careful with taxis
Only use radio taxis or a business/hotel car service
If your company is in the Metro Detroit or Chicago areas and would like Puente Cultural Integration to provide consulting, cross-cultural or diversity training for your staff, please contact bridget@puenteci.com for a quote.
Last October, I sat in my principal’s office feeling that there was something bigger waiting for me. “I love teaching Spanish, but I feel like I have met every goal, every milestone. What can I do to keep this up for another 15 years?” I asked. Her powerful response, “What are you passionate about? Find your passion.”
I have spent the last six months doing just that. I did the scariest thing any teacher could do. I walked away after 21 years. I am a teacher. I am a Spanish teacher. I love everything about the culture & Spanish language (yep, especially the irregular verb conjugations!) It is such a part of my identity. I am a teacher of life and I am following my passions. Puente Cultural Integration was created to channel my passions and my energies.
I am connecting my passions and my strengths. Could your organization benefit from my skill set?
My strengths are:
organizing people
communicating
problem-solving
teaching cultures & language
all things Latin American
dynamic cross-cultural training
My passions are:
the people & cultures of Latin America
helping disadvantaged youth (both in the US & globally)
travel
education
Trip to Barcelona, Spain 2014
I will be realistic about my path and I need to do more in this world. My business cannot be about me. There is something more out there. Watch out world!
If your company is in the Metro Detroit or Chicago areas and would like Puente Cultural Integration to provide consulting, cross-cultural or diversity training for your staff, please contact bridget@puenteci.com for a quote.
Last month, I spent five days helping to run a camp in the Dominican Republic. I need to do more. Now I know. I need to go back. These kids, this community, they touched me.
First Day of Camp – Basketball as a Mission, Dominican Republic 2015
When I was in high school, I knew I needed to go to Mexico – to live, to learn, to meet these people I had studied. It wasn’t a whim. I knew I had to become bilingual – I didn’t want to just learn textbook Spanish – I wanted to understand everything about the culture too. Street Spanish. Everyday Spanish.
In college, after spending six months living with a family in Morelia, Michoacán and traveling throughout Central Mexico, I dreamed of going into the Peace Corps or becoming a missionary in Latin America. My professors talked of living among the Mayan Indians in Mérida and of studying civilizations across the globe. “I’m going to do that too,” I thought.
But, life happens. The last 21 years happened.
Finish college at 21.
Get the phone call NHS needs a Spanish teacher
Fight it! “I’m not ready to be an adult yet!”
I am hired.
Grad School in Mexico = Grad School Debt
Marry the Mexican man of my dreams
Kids (2 beautiful bilingual boys)
Decide after 21 yrs to leave teaching
Travel to the DR as a volunteer
Now what?
My heart needs to help. I dreamed of teaching in the inner-city. I dreamed of building schools in rural Latin America. I want to help build lives, give love, provide skills.
Last Day of Camp – Basketball as a Mission, Dominican Republic 2015
Can I afford to follow my heart? Can I afford to ignore this ache again? I think I know the answer. Can’t wait to see what powerful things are going to happen!
If you are interested in reaching disadvantaged kids in Latin American or would like to find out more regarding Basketball as a Mission. Contact us here or go to www.basketballasamission.org.
If your company is in the Metro Detroit or Chicago areas and would like Puente Cultural Integration to provide consulting, cross-cultural or diversity training for your staff, please contact bridget@puenteci.com for a quote.
Here are a few tips from Puente Cultural Integration for business travel in Latin America:
