Embark on a captivating journey as Julianne takes us through her transformative experience living in Malawi, Africa. In this episode, we delve into her remarkable ability to navigate cultural differences and overcome intercultural communication barriers. Julianne's success lies in her adaptability, open-mindedness, and unwavering respect for others. By embracing these qualities, she effortlessly bridged the gap between cultures, fostering understanding and connection. We explore the concept of intercultural praxis, where Julianne emphasizes the power of diversity and self-improvement in building meaningful relationships. Prepare to challenge your preconceptions as Julianne shatters stereotypes surrounding Africa.Contrary to media portrayals, she reveals striking similarities between our cultures, dispelling common misconceptions and inviting us to embrace the richness of diversity. However, Julianne's journey was not without its challenges. She bravely confronted discrimination and bullying but her resilience and determination serve as a testament to the importance of empathy and compassion in creating a socially just world.Meet Julianne Pua, a remarkable individual who seamlessly blends the vibrant cultures of Africa and the Philippines into her very being. With an unparalleled depth of experience and a unique perspective on life, Julianne's journey has been shaped by her six-year sojourn in Malawi, Africa during her formative years.

During the transition to online classes, several organizational cultures at UPLB have been halted, including the utilization of organization Tambayans located around the campus. Due to the gap between the last face-to-face batch and the current online batches, many students who are not affiliated with any organization are unaware of the existence of these org Tambayans. Ms. Trixia Go intends to express her opinions and share her personal experiences regarding whether non-org members should be allowed to utilize the org Tambayans. Kaye Trixia Go, a third-year BS Statistics student, holds active positionsas the Vice President of the UPLB Statistical Society and as a member ofUPLB Delta Lambda Sigma.

James Yumol, an Agribusiness Management Entrepreneurship (ABME) student fromUniversity of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), attended a summer program at the Mahidol University, Thailand, in which he shares his perspective on how he handled the various intercultural communication barriers he has encountered around the people he interacted with, such as his fellow students, professors, and locals in the country he is staying in. The podcast discusses how people understand and connect with one another despite their differences, as well as the difficulties of communicating with others from diverse backgrounds, origins, and cultures. The podcast also tackles the expectations of foreign students toward local people and foreign students toward their fellow students and how they manage to build a good relationship despite the expectations.

In this episode, Miss Katherine shares how her ex-partner with a different upbringing influenced their communication pattern which resulted in a failed relationship. Her ex-partner was dependent on her, which hampered their capacity for self-determination and open communication. Her ex-partner consistently relies on indirect communication such as pagpapahiwatig while she tends to avoid conflicts. This passive behavior hindered effective communication between them, as important issues were left unresolved. Without open and honest communication, misunderstandings can arise, feelings may be left unaddressed, and conflicts can escalate. It's important for both partners to feel comfortable and to not be afraid of judgment. Ms. Katherine Valencia is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Batch 2007,in UPLB, with an MS in Soil Science. A single mom of two daughters whose pastrelationship failed because of different communicative behaviors.

The episode discusses the evolution of gossip culture from use in churches to being an act where individuals communicate privately with each other. The first point of discussion was the symbolism of ‘Marites’ in Filipino culture which starts at the ‘baranggay’ level where people tend to share stories to neighbours due to the closeness of households. The second point tackles chismis in the context of pandemic where gossip was evident due to the emergence of social media. Lastly, the consequences of chismis culture were discussed including some actions to prevent these consequences. Listen to insights shared by Nathan Felix, a graduate of BA Communication Arts in UPLB and was a Gabay member of the Office of Counseling and Guidance where he devoted his time in communication and peer facilitation. He mentored students in public speaking during the height of the pandemic to serve as speakers in CVM and CFNR college convocations.

This podcast explores the communication barriers experienced by a Bangladeshi graduate student in the Philippines. This sheds light on the unique challenges of cultural differences in communication styles and norms. From the reluctance to say "no" directly to using non-verbal cues like lip-pointing, each observation paints a vivid picture of the student's journey to adapt and understand. The podcast provides key takeaways, emphasizing cultural sensitivity, adaptability, active listening, and patience as essential tools for effective cross-cultural communication. Through engaging discussions and practical strategies, this podcast fosters understanding and paves the way for meaningful connections in our diverse world. Ms. Jannat Mou is a foreign student from Rangpur City, Bangladesh who is taking her Masters Degree in Plant Breeding at the University of the Philippines - Los Baños. She is an MS Scholar of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Mou has an impressive educational background, having obtained a Bachelor Degree in Agriculture at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University at Dinajpur, Bangladesh. She then went to embark on a remarkable career journey after being the research associate at Nashik Plant and Pot.Beyond her educational background, she is known to be one of the most friendly foreign students in UPLB. For her bright smiles and love for cats, she provides a comfortable and inviting environment to everyone she encounters. Despite the cultural differences she has been facing, she still manages to make good friends with the Filipinos and different nationalities.Our group is honored to listen to Mou share her experiences about cultural differences in her seven months stay in thePhilippines.

In this episode of Cultural Connections, we delve into the struggles faced by Bisaya University students in adapting to Tagalog communication styles. We explore the notable differences in verbal and non-verbal cues between Bisaya and Tagalog and how these impact their interactions and relationships. Our special guests share their personal experiences and discuss the challenges they have faced in classes and socializing. We also examine the emotional and mental impact of constantly adapting to a different communication style and the strategies they have developed to navigate these challenges. Tune in for insightful discussions on fostering inclusivity and understanding linguistic diversity on campus.

In this special episode, we are honored to have Chedy as our guest speaker. Chedy, an undergraduate student at the University of the Philippines - Los Baños, brings a unique perspective and personal experiences to the conversation. Join us as Chedy shares his insights on the challenges faced in intercultural communication, his strategies for overcoming barriers, and his inspiring journey of growth and understanding. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking tonavigate cultural differences with grace and empathy. Chedy Chavez, a 22-year-old student studying Chemical Engineering at UPLB, hails from GeneralSantos City and is a native Bisaya speaker. Hence, his primary language is not Tagalog or Filipino.

The podcast revolves around the relationships with friends, significant others, and family. It discussed how different we are depending on who we are with, whether in our actions, words, or how we present ourselves to them. With our special guest, a freshman currently under the College of Veterinary Medicine from UPLB, shared his personal relationships with his peers, parents, friends, significant others, and roommates. With his and our personal experiences combined, we were able to shed light on how verbal and nonverbal communication styles, Filipino Communication Habits by Maggay (2002), and Filipino Communicative Behaviors by Lacson (2005) affect our daily lives. Arielle Dominique Diaz, a 19 year old Doctor of Veterinary Medicine freshman from Antipolo City, served as our informant. He is the youngest of two siblings and is nonbinary. He is a dedicated and enthusiastic student who is ready to learn and take on fresh opportunities. He is also a cosplayer and a digital artist. In his spare time, he likes playing video games and creating artwork, and he is also involved in raising awareness of the LGBTQIA+ community.