This assignment is designed for students to learn how to communicate effectively in a VERY unfamiliar and/or uncomfortable settings. Depending the setting the communication may be verbal, non-verbal, or written. For example, you may go to an event or live in a country in which you don’t know anyone and the people are not people with whom you would usually associate (it can be a work situation or social situation): The paper should address the following:

Describe the unfamiliar situation. What made it unfamiliar and uncomfortable?

What did you observe about how other people communicated in that setting? Describe their speech, mannerisms, their writing style, etc.

How did you communicate in this setting? What was the message that you were trying to send? What communication channel did you use (verbal, non-verbal, written?)? Why did you choose that communication channel?

Was your communication effective? If so, why? If not, why not? How did the people respond to you?

What did you learn about others and about yourself from having to communicate in this unfamiliar environment?