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From Cameroon To Kansas City: Lessons In Culture Shock

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-848768.mp3

Kansas City, MO – When Dr. Emmanuel Ngomsi came to Kansas City from Cameroon to teach, he experienced some intense culture shock. He was surprised to realize his years as a language and culture instructor in the US Peace Corps had not prepared him. Ngomsi quickly discovered that cultural misunderstandings could derail friendships, relationships with co-workers and even his career. Undaunted, he shifted his career to his new passion; educating others about cultural differences. In his book, Shocking Cultures--Hilarious and Disastrous Challenges of Foreign Workers in the USA he shares his experiences. KCUR's Susan B. Wilson caught up with Dr. Emmanuel Ngomsi recently to talk about the painful lessons he learned as a French teacher in a Kansas City Magnet School.

Dr. Emmanuel Ngomsi is the president of All World Languages and Cultures, Inc, a diversity training and consulting firm.

This story was produced for KC Currents. To listen on your own schedule, subscribe to the KC Currents Podcast.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Susan admits that her “first love” was radio, being an avid listener since childhood. However, she spent much of her career in mental health, healthcare administration, and sports psychology (Susan holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Bloch School of Business at UMKC.) In the meantime, Wilson satisfied her journalistic cravings by doing public speaking, providing “expert” interviews for local television, and being a guest commentator/contributor to KPRS’s morning drive time show and the teen talk show “Generation Rap.”
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