News Release: November 18, 2003

Media contact:
Kate Berardo
kate@culturosity.com
 

NEW SITE HELPS BRING DIVERSITY AND GLOBAL AWARENESS TO MAINSTREAM U.S. SOCIETY DURING INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK.

Culturosity.com provides a virtual space to open minds and "go global."
 

Nov 18, 2003 |  In celebration of International Education Week, the launch of Culturosity.com (www.culturosity.com) attempts to bring appreciation and understanding of intercultural issues to mainstream U.S. society. The site, which hopes to attract a large, varied audience, offers a variety of free resources and shows people how to create an enriching lifestyle out of learning.
 

Culturosity's® goal is to bring intercultural awareness and learning into a more mainstream light, outside of the confines of academic discussion and corporate strategy.

“Intercultural awareness needs to take a central place in American society, through mainstream channels that are accessible to everyone,” said Kate Berardo, Culturosity.com’s creator. “Culturosity®’s mission is to help people to seek out opportunities to learn about other cultures and grow from these experiences.”

The site approaches learning by stressing the need to enjoy the process and develop a mindset that promotes continued growth. One section, Pop Culturosity®, ties normal daily activities, from watching movies, listening to music, reading books, and cooking into intercultural learning opportunities. “The point is to expand your mind while doing things you enjoy, so that the learning is enriching and not a task or obligation,” Berardo said. The first Pop Culturosity® learning guide, The Movie Guide will be released early next year.

The site currently features a number of articles that focus on the need to be aware and the benefits of leading a culturally aware lifestyle. One article highlights some of the lesser-known benefits of cultural awareness, from better social skills to increased job security. Additional resources include links to Web sites that teach about other world cultures and a monthly Pop Watch. Expansions for next year include a Culturosity® Challenge Awareness Program, an interactive discussion area to discuss intercultural issues as well as a series of assessments and quizzes that build awareness.
 

“Not everyone has the opportunity to travel, study abroad, or get an education that will provide them with even a basic understanding of the importance of understanding other cultures,” Berardo said. “Many recent graduates from prestigious schools finish their college careers without a solid grounding in the subject. The last few years in America have highlighted the crucial need for a better understanding of other cultures. The average U.S. citizen needs the skills necessary to face the dynamics of today’s world, and they need a place where they can build this learning. Culturosity.com seeks to fill this need.”
 

About the Creator of Culturosity.com Kate Berardo is an intercultural specialist currently living in Sapporo, Japan. She is co-author of the recently released, Putting Diversity to Work and the U.S. business culture guide for Executive Planet. Berardo has traveled to more than 20 countries, has lived in three continents and is a summa cum laude graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.. She plans to return to the United States in March 2004, where she will continue to expand Culturosity.com and the resources it offers.
 

To sign up for updates on this new endeavor, become a sponsor or get involved in the Culturosity® project, visit http://www.culturosity.com.