Intercultural Surprises

🇪🇸 In this episode set in Spain , I tell you about the time when I truly thought that I was about to straighten out my rude clients… before realizing that politeness and good manners are also a matter of culture and diversity. 😡🤬 It is not always easy to set aside values deeply rooted in us since childhood when we find ourselves abroad, as expatriates or travelers, confronted with ways of doing...

In this episode set in India, I tell you about the time I had to play cat and mouse with a Gypsy dancer (and almost went crazy!) and ended up learning the joys of adaptability and spontaneity. Based on a very simple anecdote, I talk about one of those countries where things rarely go as planned, and about the hidden positive side of this cultural aspect that can sometimes drive us crazy. Here are...

In this episode, set in Tunisia, I tell you the story of how a simple pair of flip-flops helped me better understand the local culture. Through a very simple anecdote, I talk about symbolism and sometimes surprising superstitions! Whether you’re an expat, a traveler, or simply curious about cultures and diversity, this podcast is for you. Enjoy ! --- Intercultural Surprises is the podcast that tak...

🎄 A Christmas episode unlike any other. In this special episode of Intercultural Surprises , I deliberately step away from cultural differences to talk to you about something even more universal: faith in humanity. Through a personal anecdote from my very first Christmas spent away from my family, in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains in the United States, I share with you a formative encount...

In this second episode of my intercultural podcast, I take you with me to South Africa for one of the most surprising moments of my solo round-the-world journey. While working in Khayelitsha, a township near Cape Town, I found myself alone on a bus, a bit nervous… until a simple question about Xhosa wedding traditions sparked a full-bus debate in Xhosa! What began as a stressful ride quickly becam...

In this episode set in Cambodia, I share the story of the time I thought my tuk-tuk driver was messing with me! Among the keys to discovering others—and to intercultural management as well—what if we explored our relationship with the word “No”? I’ll tell you what happened, what I learned from it, and how you can apply those lessons in your everyday life. Whether you’re an expat, a traveler, or si...

Intercultural Surprises is the podcast that takes you on a journey to better understand the cultures of the world. 🎙️ I am Charlotte Courtois, speaker and expert in cultural diversity and intercultural management. I am also the founder of Konstelacio , a UNESCO-accredited NGO which educates children around the world on intercultural dialogue. Passionate about cultures—and stories in all their form...