2014 2015 Int'l Program Guide by Dreambridge Partners

2014-‐2015 International Student Program Guide

Every year thousands of international students flock to US business schools. Many are in search of the “gold standard” in business education, as well as cultural exposure to the US. As the international student population grows, so does the need for a new kind of education and preparation. Helping international students become marketable for a career in the US involves teaching a mind-‐set that embodies the American spirit of individualism, independence, story telling and branding.

In an effort to help students become their best-‐selves, Dreambridge Partners is happy to announce our 2014-‐2015 Program Guide. Our approach to student marketability follows the students’ journey from before they leave their home county until graduation with programs from pre-‐arrival to reinforcement of key learnings. We believe conceptual understanding is the foundation to true comprehension. Without knowing the concept, students cannot go on to independently execute and perform what they have learned. Throughout the learning continuum, they must be given the tools to practice and gain feedback. We believe following these building blocks of learning will give students the confidence to independently execute their new learned skills and be truly successful in the US marketplace. Click here to watch our short video on “Enabling International Student Success.”

2014-‐2015 Program Guide

Testimonials

Judy's ability to read the students’ needs and touch their hearts is unmatched. She really has her finger on the pulse of international student trends and knows how to bridge the US cultures with their own. Judy has a unique way of breaking down US communications and provides students with practical steps that are actionable. I give my unequivocal recommendation for any university to tap into Judy's breadth of experience to aid their students. Meg Flournoy Sector Director, Global and Healthcare at Duke University Fuqua School Judy brings a great awareness of cultural interactions and the challenges international students face communicating in the U.S. Her engaging, entertaining and interactive style combined with real-‐life, concrete examples of how to navigate in a new environment has been particularly effective with our Wharton MBA students. To receive so many nines and tens in evaluations (out of a possible ten) is a complete win and evidence of Judy's efficacy with our students. Shannon Connelly Senior Associate Director at University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business I’ve attended two of Ms Shen-‐Filerman’s workshops. One was to help international students (particularly Chinese students) to adapt to American culture. The other was about job interviews tips. Both workshops were extremely helpful to me. The idea of saying no to feeling embarrassed and to caring about group rejection in her first workshop has benefited me ever since. I owe much of my involvement to American Culture today to her encouragement. Ms. Shen-‐Filerman knows the Chinese culture. She knows what we’re afraid of and what we need to change. That’s what makes her workshops so helpful. The workshop on interviewing actually helped a lot in my interview with a bank thereafter. She’s not only gave you tips about interviewing, but told you how to be more confident about yourself. Sherry Xiao Xu, student

Table of Contents

TESTIMONIALS ........................................................................................................................................... 3 KEY: ........................................................................................................................................................... 4 4-‐ON-‐4 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY .............................................................................................................. 5 OUR INTEGRATED 4-‐ON-‐4 DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK ............................................................................ 6 OUR FEATURED STORYSELLING SIGNATURE SERIES .................................................................................... 7 PRE-‐ARRIVAL PROGRAM ............................................................................................................................ 8 OUR VIDEO LIBRARY AND LIVE WEBINARS ................................................................................................. 9 ORIENTATION .......................................................................................................................................... 10 IMMERSION NAVIGATION ........................................................................................................................ 12 REINFORCEMENT ..................................................................................................................................... 14 PROGRAM PACKAGES .............................................................................................................................. 15 PROGRAM FEES ....................................................................................................................................... 16

StorySelling Signature Series Program

Key:

Live Workshop

Webinar Video

2014-‐2015 Program Guide

Student Favorite

4-‐on-‐4 Development Strategy

4-‐on-‐4 Development Strategy Improve International Student Marketability Students get the right support at the right time to become competent with US norms Continuous Education and Practice during all

4 Periods of the Academic Year

4 Student Readiness Phases

Understanding US Cultural Norms

StorySelling

US Networking & Interviewing 5

4-‐on-‐4 Development Strategy

Our Integrated 4-‐on-‐4 Development Framework

* For students to be independently competent earlier, the “learn / develop / practice” phases must occur earlier in the academic year or in a dedicated Pre-‐Orientation for International Students

StorySelling Signature Series

Our Featured StorySelling Signature Series

Because we believe story telling is the fundamental building block for successful networking, interviewing, and job searching in the US, we developed a series of workshops devoted to the art of telling your story. Each workshop builds on the knowledge of the previous workshop. StorySelling I: Why Stories Matter in the US As a country that strongly values individualism, “my point-‐of-‐view” is key to success, whether socially, academically or professionally. Students will gain a better understanding of US values and why it’s important to have a personal story. Through examples and case studies, StorySelling is illustrated as a must-‐have skill for success in the US. StorySelling II: Connecting with Your Personal Story Branding is everything in the US., and it starts with “My Story!” Telling personal stories in public is not a norm in many cultures, but is a critical skill for engaging in the US culture, whether socializing or job searching. Through a process of reflection and story development, students develop a means to communicate about themselves. StorySelling III: Building the Career Story StorySelling III is about developing the most compelling stories and building upon one’s personal story for networking and interviewing. For many international students, persuasive storytelling is the weakest link to getting a job with an American company. Focusing on customer needs and key selling points, this workshop utilizes our unique building-‐block templates to help students build a personally unique story. StorySelling IV: Networking & Interviewing This workshop takes StorySelling to the next level! Applying their knowledge from StorySelling III, students will gain powerful communication tools to deliver targeted and authentic messaging in networking and interviewing. There is specific focus on decoding the implicit expectations of American interviewers, using body language and tone to persuade more effectively and role playing their pitch and the 5 most-‐often asked questions. StorySelling 2.0-‐Deep Dive Using our StorySelling method to effectively respond to the most frequently asked questions, focusing on content, language structure and delivery. This workshop builds on StorySelling IV and dives deeper into role-‐playing and feedback, for a great refresher on storytelling the American way in networking and interview settings.

Pre-‐Arrival Program

Learning begins at pre-‐arrival. This is where the groundwork is set for success. Students are introduced to key American concepts and get a taste of what US culture looks and feels likes.

“The US Business School Experience”

Introductory Videos, 3-‐4 minutes each, gives practical pre-‐arrival information in “bite-‐size” portions. 1. Why “You” Matter in the US A look at the cultural focus on individualism and independence in the US 2. Marketing Yourself to Get a Job The importance of promoting one’s self and keys to a dynamic cover letter and resume 3. The American Academic Experience Cultural differences in classroom etiquette, teamwork among classmates, honor code and ethics 4. Socializing in Business School Navigating the social scene and establishing friendships in business school

2 Live Q&A Webinars (1-‐hour each) Dreambridge Partners will host two pre-‐set live webinars where students can join and ask questions based on the videos they’ve watched. These webinars are meant to be an open Q&A forum for incoming students to discuss all aspects of American life including cultural differences in academics, socializing and career.

Pre-‐Arrival Program

Our Video Library and Live Webinars Our videos, approximately 30-‐minutes in length, are available any time of year. However, it’s a great pre-‐arrival tool for students prior to “hitting the ground.” Our live webinars are comprised of a 50-‐minute lecture and 10 minutes of Q&A for a total of 1-‐ hour.

Current topics:

American Small Talk A decoding of the nuances of US small talk and how it works in social and professional settings. Job Search Success in the US for International Students A cultural and structural overview about strategies for an effective US job search. “I have sat through several of Strategic Job Search Networking in the US Judy Shen-Filerman’s A 2-‐part video series: presentations at various Part 1 career conferences, and her Explains why Americans network and the video presentations mirror importance of preparation for effective her in-person delivery in networking. Part 2 every respect: insightful, Teaches the specifics of how to network in the empathetic, informative and US, from writing emails, to our EASE conversation inspiring. I fully recommend decoder and follow-‐up. these videos as a guide to assisting international students facing the daunting A Successful Start to Living, Studying and Job US academic and job search Searching in the US environments.”—John Ryder, A broad strokes overview touching on what matters Emory University most to international students when they first arrive in the US, including the highs and lows of the acculturation process.

Video Library & Live Webinars

Orientation

In a matter of days, students are introduced to all aspects of the business school experience. Immersed in the US culture for the first time, students yearn to understand US cultural norms and factors for success when they first arrive.

*A Successful Start: Understanding and Adapting to American Culture Eases student transition into the US by addressing the ups and downs of acculturation; American cultural norms, including US emphasis on individualism and dynamics in the classroom, socializing and job search. *Job Search Success in the US This workshop frames the key ingredients for job search success by addressing American norms and how they radically differ from other world cultures. Explains American business values and how it translates into the US job search process including career stories, small talk, spotlight socializing and networking. *StorySelling I: Why Stories Matter in the US As a country that strongly values individualism, “my point-‐of-‐view” is key to success, whether socially, academically or professionally. Students will gain a better understanding of US values and why it’s important to have a personal story. Through examples and case studies, StorySelling is illustrated as a must-‐have skill for success in the US *StorySelling II: Connecting with Your Personal Story Branding is everything in the US. And it starts with “My Story”! Telling personal stories in public are not a norm in many cultures, but is a critical skill for engaging in the US culture, whether socializing or job searching. Through a process of reflection and story development, students develop a means to communicate about themselves.

Orientation

*StorySelling III: Building the Career Story StorySelling III is about developing the most compelling stories and building upon one’s personal story for networking and interviewing. For many international students, persuasive storytelling is the weakest link to getting a job with an American company. Focusing on customer needs and key selling points, this workshop utilizes our unique building-‐block templates to help students build a personally unique story. American Small Talk Small talk is critical to socializing in the US and an important skill for the US job search. Demystifies American Small Talk by explaining why Americans do small talk, what small talk is and how it’s done. Specifically, learn about popular small talk topics, how you can initiate these conversations and how to become more comfortable with this important form of interpersonal communications.

“Judy’s webinar was a priceless addition to our international student orientation program.”— Blake Gore, Vanderbilt University

The Power of "Me" in the US Explains the powerful forces of individualism, equality and independence in the US and why gaining these cultural skills is critical for success, socially, academically and professionally.

Immersion Navigation

During immersion navigation students begin to traverse the terrain of life in the US. Much emphasis is placed on finding a job, networking, selling yourself and making contact with friends and professionals. With a conceptual understanding of the US job search, students need frameworks, practice and feedback to know if they're on the right track.

*Effective US Networking for International Students American networking can be terrifying to international students due to the need to reach out to strangers and sell oneself. Many students do not know appropriate verbiage, protocols and in-‐ the-‐moment behaviors that are acceptable in American networking. This program will cover topics including: Asking for a meeting and appropriate language; navigating a networking conversation, from the “meet & greet” to ending using our EASE process; how to follow-‐up and maintain a relationship over time.

“Judy has a lot of credibility with our Asian student population. When she speaks, they listen!”—Simona Tripodi, Washington University

*StorySelling IV: Networking & Interviewing This workshop takes StorySelling to the next level! Applying their knowledge from StorySelling III, students will gain powerful communication tools to deliver targeted and authentic messaging in networking and interviewing. There is specific focus on decoding the implicit expectations of American interviewers, using body language and tone to persuade more effectively and role playing their pitch and the 5 most-‐often asked questions. American Small Talk Small talk is critical to socializing in the US and an important skill for the US job search. Demystifies American Small Talk by explaining why Americans do small talk topics, how you can initiate these conversations and how to become more comfortable with this important form of interpersonal communications.

Effective Engagement and Participation in the Classroom International students come from different teaching and learning environments. Understanding US expectations is key to their success. Addresses classroom engagement with professors, American teamwork, plagiarism and US honor code ethics. The Power of "Me" in the US Explains the powerful forces of individualism, equality and independence in the US and why gaining these cultural skills is critical for success, socially, academically and professionally.

Immersion Navigation

Reinforcement

Lastly, comes the reinforcement period. Many international students fully engage in job search in Spring, so a refresher of concepts and continued practice and feedback are vital for their success. Students gain a “refresher” of skills learned with a focus on experiential practice to improve readiness.

*StorySelling 2.0-‐Deep Dive Using our StorySelling method to effectively respond to the most frequently asked questions, focusing on content, language structure and delivery. This workshop builds on StorySelling IV and dives deeper into role-‐playing and feedback, for a great refresher on storytelling the American way in networking and interview settings.

Reinforcement

Mastering the One-‐on-‐One Networking Conversation The most impactful networking occurs one-‐on-‐one. However, one-‐on-‐one networking is highly challenging, requiring students to listen, sell and respond in the moment. International students crave a structure for these conversations. This workshop addresses key areas that make or break critical networking conversations. The EASE process breaks down the conversation into phases and students experientially practice the process. (Assumes students have career story, pitch and targeted job knowledge.)

How to Succeed in Your New US Internship or Full-‐time Job International students need to understand the importance of managing interpersonal relationships for their success. “Nose to the grindstone” is insufficient for success. Our workshop highlights implicit factors that determine on-‐the-‐job success that may differ greatly from their home country. Students walk away with a strategy for on-‐the-‐job communications and knowing why visibility, socializing and task management are all important success factors.

Program Packages

o better prepare students, we have packaged together some of our most popular offerings within our 4-‐on-‐4 development strategy. All in-‐person programs, videos and webinars are also offered as stand alone programs. We are happy to tailor any of our titles to better serve your students.

Our Program Packages

Learn It! • Pre-‐Arrival video program—includes 4-‐intro videos and 2 Q&A webinars • Orientation-‐Choice of one 1-‐hr webinar or one month video subscription for one video • Immersion Navigation—Choice of one 1-‐hr webinar Experience It! • Pre-‐Arrival video program-‐includes 4-‐intro videos and 2 Q&A webinars • Orientation—Choice of one 3-‐hour live session and one 1-‐hr webinar or one month video subscription for one video • Immersion Navigation—Choice of one 1-‐hr webinar • Reinforcement—Choice of one 1-‐hr webinar Know It! • Pre-‐Arrival program—includes 4-‐intro videos and 2 Q&A webinars • Orientation—Choice of two 3-‐hour live sessions (must be held on same day) • Immersion Navigation—Choice of one 3-‐hour live session • Reinforcement—Choice of one 1-‐hour webinar

Program Fees

June-‐July July-‐August Pre-‐Arrival Orientation

Learn It! $1599

Full program-‐4 videos and 2 Q& A webinars Full program-‐4 videos and 2 Q& A webinars Full program-‐4 videos and 2 Q& A webinars

Experience It! $4999

Program Fees

Know It! $7999

Sept.-‐Nov. Immersion Navigation 1 webinar

Feb.-‐Apr. Reinforcement

1 workshop & 1 webinar or 1 video

1 webinar

2 workshops

1 workshop

1 webinar

1 webinar or 1 video

N/A

We look forward to speaking with you about how our programs can support you and your students.

Dreambridge Partners, LLC www.dreambridgepartners.com info@dreambridgepartners.com 617-‐395-‐9232