The Art of Crossing Cultures

by Craig Storti

Words and insights of dozens of literary legends combine with Craig Storti's voice of experience to break new ground in this updated and redesigned edition of the classic that gets to the heart of the cross-cultural experience.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cultural, Christian, Psychology, Leadership, Linguistics, Sociology

157 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1990

Reviews

[Rebekah Barkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book that anyone who is visiting or living in a different culture should read. The key takeaway from this book is that you should make an effort to understand behaviors in other cultures before you judge them; it’s attempting to see the world as the locals do and trying to imagine how they view you.

[Rick Shafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Engaging and informative. Written for people planning to live abroad but would be valuable for everybody to read. These days all of us encounter different cultures. America would be a better place if everyone took the material in this book to heart.

[Kaitlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Required reading for one of my classes. Super quick read that I would definitely recommend for anyone getting ready to travel abroad for the first time.

[Dr. Heidi Kay Begay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must read for anyone who will be working abroad. As an educator, I found the information very insightful. Even if you won't be working or teaching abroad, I think the information is applicable to working in your homeland, too. Think about it! Especially as an American our country is a ginormous melting pot of such diverse cultures, people, and the like. We are working, collaborating, communicating with people for all different walks of life on a daily basis. You can easily apply this information to your native country, too! Enjoy! (I only knocked off one star, because some of the earlier chapters it felt repetitive.)

[Priscilla Previl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a challenging and honest little book that deals with the (primarily) American challenges in dealing with cultures outside our own. I read the first edition, and so the latest edition might be more updated on our increasingly cross-cultural societies, but the book primarily deals with living overseas.

As a former expatriate living abroad in multiple different countries, I can attest that Storti is accurate in his assessments. The book is an excellent read for those seeking to better maneuver the cross-cultural environments we face in much of the US as well as the larger world.

[Edina Rutland · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was reading this book, so many of my own experiences came rushing back. Nothing earth shattering is revealed, but the cross-cultural adaptation process is clearly explained in an easy-to-read format. Sometimes, it felt a bit repetitive, but there were times that I laughed out loud, remembering my own adventures. It is recommended for anyone who is planning to move to a different country, but within the US, it could even be beneficial for those moving to a different state.

[Tara Guiffredo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Christian perspective on how to deal with traveling or moving abroad.

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sooo I had to read this for school by this was the most pointless school book I have ever read. It’s literally just common sense in 112 pages

[Hannah Speegle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for school. Very informative and to read. It handles the topic of cultural conflict in a way that is helpful while realistic.

[Jeswanth · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pre reading for my course Innovation and Skills for Social Change @LeedsBecckettUniversity

[Wallace]

Simple, helpful, charming. Could help me to let my cultural hang-ups go on a good day.

[Christopher Tennant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful for overseas travel

[Corey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some helpful tidbits. Presents the problem fairly well. Interesting illustrations and decent solution.

[Annie Tai · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books i've read on this topic! (And i've read a dozen.) The stories and models stayed with me for over a decade. Definitely want to read it again.

[Elisa Cardona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was forced to read this for my class

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clear and accessible explanation of the challenges of working and traveling abroad. As someone who has lived abroad in central African, post-Soviet, and east Asian countries for the past ten yeas, I affirm the messages of this book. I also felt that this was a good book as an introduction for those about to embark on or early in their experiences overseas, but less useful for someone who has already spent a decade abroad.

The author admits that he exaggerates at times to underscore his points; and for diplomats, there is an additional tension between adapting to the local culture and professionally obligations to represent your own culture abroad that is not present for those who are merely expats.

The excepts from travel writers added a layer of richness to the otherwise fairly general commentary, and the short case studies were, for me, perhaps the most interesting part of the author's own work -- I found myself wanting more of them,

[MariaK · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book, not necessarily because it was a bad book but because I expected something different. This was more like a textbook, with examples of expats' behavior in the workplace, in social circles, the habits they often refuse to let go of, how they are perceived by locals, etc. I expected and wanted to read more about internal conflicts that we expats have with respect to what is "home", where our loyalties lie, how we often feel torn between two homelands--between the country where we grew up and where our character formed and the country that gave us a better (or perhaps just different) future in our adult life--, how we mix cultures and which aspects of our original culture it hurts more to lose, and so on. I would say that this book provided descriptions whereas I was looking for analyses.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was required reading by my organization in preparation for my move overseas. It is immensely helpful - not only in providing concrete experiences by other world travelers, but in giving advice for how to adjust to living in a foreign country. Overall, the most helpful advice I received is that I must manage my expectations - often conflict arises because of what expats expect from foreigners because they are not meeting the standards that the expat has ingrained in them. That is a valuable lesson for anyone, regardless of whether they move abroad or not. Be kind, manage your expectations, and learn to listen and adapt where needed.

[Kakanier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sehr nettes grundsätzliches Buch für Leute, die einen längeren Auslandsaufenthalt planen, sei dies als Touristen oder um in der Fremde zu leben und Geld zu verdienen. Hat überhaupt keine kulturspezifische Hinweise und versucht stattdessen den Leser daran zu erinnern, dass er im Ausland als Mensch wirklich von Null beginnt und sich dementsprechend verhalten sollte. Die Kommentare über Rückkher und die Reaktion der Daheimgebliebenen werden Leuten, die lange Reisen machen vermutlich ins Herz treffen.

[Alaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very informative guide that will help you interpret different cross-cultural situations in your host country that could escalate into altercations. A way of looking at certain situations where the expat experiences something that is unique to the host culture in social situations, the office, everyday life, etc. I really liked the examples this book gave.

[Elisabeth Cary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read Storti's Art of Coming Home and was excited to read his tips for preparing to travel cross-culturally. His use of travel literature not only complements his perspectives, but also adds to the reader's interest in traveling, reflecting on his or her own culture, and continuing study by reading in this subject further.

[Connor Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful resource, but written with the cross-cultural businessman in mind. His ultimate success for crossing cultures is a successful business and more well-rounded traveler. Though the book was a textbook for a missions course while not necessarily being a book on missions or with a Christian perspective in mind, the information was helpful.

[Darcey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful - but short! - guide on intercultural communication. Some helpful tips, but the last 1/4 of the book seemed to be filled with appendices, quotes, and references... I was hoping for more meat on these bones.

[Dave Pettengill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed how he took a difficult topic and broke it down and shared common pitfalls and how to avoid them when having a cross-cultural experience. I also enjoyed the many quotes from others on their journeys in various settings

[Cody Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This is a helpful intro for those getting ready to live in a different culture. It touches on sources of cross-cultural frustration and culture shock, as well as basic ways to adjust. Decent read.

[Sarah]

Another good resource...

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent book for study abroad participants and host families alike.

[Coleman Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has awesome quotes on travel! A very well written account of cross-cultural travel and how to deal with culture shock.

[Glitter · Rating 5 out of 5]