Beyond the Office: Building Global Skills with Job Shadowing
Author: Maria Bychawska
In an era of increasing globalization and professional mobility, the ability to function effectively in multicultural environments is becoming one of the most important skills of the 21st century. In response to this challenge, a growing number of educational institutions and employers are turning to innovative training methods, such as job shadowing. When taking part in these types of activities, a participant should also understand that his/her involvement is linked to developing these intercultural competencies. These skills include the knowledge, abilities, and attitudes that allow for understanding and respecting other cultures, as well as effective communication and collaboration with people from diverse backgrounds.
Along with the development of the internet and the opportunities it brings, people should also be aware of the high probability that those working alongside them will not be from their own country or may have been born elsewhere, and therefore will have different cultures, customs, and traditions. Therefore, working and functioning in society together requires a high level of understanding and tolerance for differences.
Pexels / Viktoria Slowikowska
Job shadowing is a learning method that involves observing the work of specialists in their natural professional environment. The participant, or "shadow," doesn't directly perform tasks but actively observes, analyzes, and draws conclusions from the daily activities of the company and its employees. In a multicultural context, this form of learning takes on special significance because it allows one to experience cultural differences firsthand, in a tangible and reflective way. It's also, and perhaps most importantly, about understanding and accepting different value systems, social norms, behaviors, and communication styles that are characteristic of different cultures.
Intercultural competencies are understood as a set of skills, knowledge, and attitudes that enable effective and ethical interaction with people from other cultures. As Darla Deardorff notes, these competencies include empathy, cognitive flexibility, cultural awareness, and the ability to engage in constructive intercultural dialogue. In the workplace, this translates to a better understanding of coworkers from different countries, a reduction in conflicts arising from communication differences, and greater work efficiency in diverse teams.
Psychological and Social Effects of Job Shadowing
Exposure to a different work culture—for example, in a Spanish company characterized by greater collectivism, time flexibility, or a strong emphasis on interpersonal relationships—triggers a number of psychological processes. Job shadowing participants often experience:
- Culture shock: the initial, disorienting contact with different norms and values.
- Cultural adaptation: a process described by John Berry, which includes phases of fascination, frustration, understanding, and integration.
- Increased self-awareness: through the confrontation of their own beliefs and habits with a different way of life and work.
- Development of cultural intelligence: the ability to understand and adapt to different communication and behavior styles in various social situations.
As a result, participants not only get to know a new culture but also gain a better understanding of their own cultural identity. Effective communication with people from other cultures, including adapting communication styles, understanding verbal and non-verbal messages, and avoiding misunderstandings, is a useful skill both abroad and at home.
The Pedagogical Perspective
From a pedagogical perspective, observing work offers enormous potential. Teachers who participate in short-term trips abroad through programs like Erasmus+ not only develop their language and professional skills but also learn openness, tolerance, and collaboration. In this process, however, it's essential to prepare properly before the trip (e.g., through intercultural workshops) and to reflect upon returning. This reflection allows them to translate their experience into concrete conclusions and attitudes. Examples of pedagogical activities that support the development of intercultural competencies include having participants keep cultural journals and organizing experience-sharing meetings (peer-to-peer learning).
As an example, one Polish technical school, whose staff participated in a 2024 Erasmus+ project (2024-1-PL01-KA121-VET-000205976), completed a job shadowing program at companies specializing in renewable energy and printing. The participants noted that they not only learned technical aspects but also changed their approach to teamwork, becoming more flexible and open to a different management style.
