3 Tips on Choosing the Right Intercultural Certification for You
Not everyone likes the same thing.
As my mom would say, that's why they make chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream.
So, not every intercultural certification is going to be the best choice for everyone.
It's important to me that people have a good understanding of intercultural certifications. You pay good money for these, and I want to make sure you are choosing the right type of certification for you.
Here are my 3 tips to help you make that decision:
1 - Assess Your Time Commitment
Some certification programs are 2 or 3 full days; others are broken up into shorter sessions. Be realistic about what you will be able to take on. Some certifications cover the essential intercultural info you need to know; others are longer train-the-trainer programs that will give you all the necessary tools to deliver your own trainings - whether for your own clients, freelancing for intercultural training companies, or delivering programs in-house at your university, company, or organization. Think about if you'd have the time to do something in-person or if you would prefer a virtual, live certification. Face to face is always a great way to learn and to meet like-minded individuals (obviously not in this COVID-19 world), however, this option often involves additional travel costs. Virtual certifications allow you to join from anywhere and can fit more easily into your schedule.
2 - Decide On Your Focus
There are different types of intercultural consultants and intercultural work; therefore, there are different types of certifications. Do you want a certification with a more academic slant or a business slant? Are you looking for something that includes information on refugees and marginalized groups or something with a focus on expats relocating internationally? Not all certifications are the same, so make sure you investigate their focus so you can align with your wants and needs.
3 - Choose The Certification That Meets You Where You Are
Another way intercultural certifications differ is in whether or not they train you in a specific tool or model. Some will certify you in their tool, typically an assessment of some sort, that is given to training participants (think Myers Briggs personality test). After completing your certification, you are able to use the assessment in your own trainings. However, it's important to note that while certification allows you the rights to use the tool, many companies still charge you per attendee to use those tools in your trainings.
The certifications that do not include a specific tool or model will still include what you need to know to be an intercultural trainer. I would argue that they offer a broader array of information since they aren't tied to one specific tool or methodology. They give you an overview of various theories, and models, and some (like the Masterclass I offer), will give you a summary of the assessment tools out there, saving you time from doing the research on your own.
[Let me explain the life of an intercultural trainer for a moment to help give some context....]
Most intercultural trainers are freelancers for large intercultural training companies, working in the expat space. The majority of trainers do not have their own direct clients. And those trainers that do have their own clients, often have just a handful. This is important to think about when choosing the type of certification you are going to invest in.
Almost every intercultural training company out there has their own assessment tool you will have to use when delivering their programs. If you're training for Berlitz - you must use their tool. If you're training for Cartus - you must use their tool. And in most cases, you will also have to use the training materials of that organization. You may be able to supplement with some of your own content, but most restrict the use of materials coming from a competitor or outside source. So, if freelancing in the expat / global mobility / relocation world is your goal, those certifications with assessment tools and specific models may not be for you. In my opinion, these types of certifications are worth getting later down the road, after you have established yourself in the field for 5 to 10 years and have clients of your own.
It's important to remember that no certification can guarantee you will get steady work, so do your research wisely. Really think about how you want to use your certification and which one meets you where you are.
For more information on becoming an intercultural trainer or to learn more about certifications, contact me at hello@nicolebarile.com or visit me on YouTube.
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