Engineer as a Professional: Global Engineer
Intercultural Communication in the Global Engineering Workplace / Interculturele communicatie voor de
mondiale ingenieur
Experiential track ‘Service learning’
KU Leuven, Fall 2024
Reflection task 1: Reflection before action – Submit as soon as you made up your choice
In this task you will reflect before or at the very beginning of your engagement in the service learning experience.
The reflection sheet is structured in three sections: 1./reflection on the self (You), 2./ reflection on the world (The
other(s)), and 3./ reflection on the academic context (The course).
Please provide responses that are relevant, specific, substantial, and complete.
identificatio Your name: Nicolas Kraus
n Your service learning organization: Buurtcentra Hoogland
Contact person at the organization: Ine Cerulus -- Ine.Cerulus@leuven.be
Reflection What aspects of yourself (personality; skills; experience) could be useful in view of
on the self this service learning task?
in service
learning I believe this will help me in teaching knowledge to others who struggle with
understanding or are new to the subject. This skill is not only valuable in this service-
learning task but also in a future career, where leadership roles may require training
interns, guiding new colleagues, or improving team workflows.
Beyond professional skills, this experience will also enhance my social skills by allowing
me to interact with individuals who I would otherwise never meet. I can learn more
about others, their culture and their perspective on school and future life. This
broadens my worldview and makes the experience both meaningful and enriching.
What motivates and attracts you to take on this task?
I followed a practical education in secondary school (mechanische
vormgevingstechnieken), afterwards studied at Thomas More mostly because I was not
ready to work. During that education, I realized I wanted to learn more about
mechanics and engineering and started the transition program to KU Leuven to study
engineering technologies.
I hope I can give the chance to young people who are sometimes underprivileged,
helping them with their homework, motivating them and showing that following the
path that interests you most is really important.
What are (a) your hopes and what are (b) your concerns or anxieties regarding this
experience?
I mainly hope to be a real help to the student by supporting her with what she needs.
The student is now in 6th grade, and mentioned being interested in studying dentistry or
biomedical sciences, so motivating her with school will be a goal too, giving her a good
start at the university.
My biggest concern is that, given the studies I followed in secondary school, I would
have a gap in knowledge that would give difficulties when teaching a student, like
mathematical proofs I will need to look at first, before teaching her.
Reflection (a) Describe what you already know about the organization you will engage with and
on the the people you will serve.
others in (b) Then indicate what you don’t know yet about them and could help you to do a
service good job.
learning
The organization is called Buurtcentra, an initiative of the City of Leuven. They have
different affiliations around Leuven, mostly located in or focused on underprivileged
neighborhoods. Buurtcentrum Hoogland is a place for young people where they can
come inside, talk to friends and the employees, get help with school or personal
problems. When I was there this Monday (17/2), the atmosphere was cozy: I saw some
boardgames and some kids playing FIFA. The kids just walked in after school, meeting
their friends, talking about random stuff.
What I don’t know yet is the specific learning difficulties or challenges the student faces.
Understanding her strengths and weaknesses would help me adjust my teaching
approach to better meet her needs. I also don’t know how motivated she is to learn or if
she already has specific study methods she uses. Getting to know her better - what
subjects she struggles with, how she likes to learn, and what support she needs most -
would make it easier for me to help her in a way that really benefits her.
How do you expect that the people you will be serving will perceive your involvement?
What beliefs and emotions towards you might they bring to the interaction?
The student I will be teaching might perceive my involvement in different ways,
depending on her experiences and expectations. She might be happy with the extra help
and see me as someone who genuinely wants to support her. She could also be a bit
reserved at first, especially if she is not used to extra tutoring or lacks confidence in her
own learning abilities.
She might also bring different emotions into our interaction. She could be curious and
motivated, but she might also feel frustrated or uncertain about her schoolwork. It’s
possible that she will see me more as a teacher, which could create some distance, or
she might view me as just another student, making it easier to connect with her.
What do you expect can be (a) the immediate outcome and (b) the wider impact of
your engagement for these people and parties?
I expect that, in the short term, the student will gain a better understanding of the
subjects she struggles with. Hopefully, she will feel more confident in her abilities and
see improvements in her schoolwork. Besides academic progress, I also hope to create a
comfortable learning environment where she feels supported and encouraged to ask
questions.
In the long run, my support could help her develop better study habits and a more
positive attitude toward learning. If she gains more confidence and motivation, this could
also influence her future studies and even her chances of succeeding in university. On a
broader scale, initiatives like this can contribute to reducing educational inequalities by
giving underprivileged students extra support and opportunities they might not
otherwise have.
Reflectio Select two of the concepts or insights you have gathered from the course so far
n on the (related to themes covered in the sessions and the readings on cultural dimensions of
academic professional communication, leadership for the global workplace, or engineering
contents cultures). Describe how each could be relevant for your personal service learning
in service experience.
learning
First concept or insight: Egalitarian v/s Hierarchical leader
Total
length of I want to adopt an egalitarian approach in my service learning experience, aiming to
your create an environment where the student feels comfortable asking questions and sharing
response her thoughts without feeling like there is a strict authority gap between us. By positioning
to this myself as more of a mentor or guide rather than a traditional teacher, I hope to create
question: open discussions and active engagement. This approach can help the student feel more
250-300 comfortable, encouraging collaboration rather than just passive learning. In contrast, a
words hierarchical approach might create a power imbalance, making the student feel
intimidated or less willing to engage, which could hinder the learning process. I believe an
egalitarian approach will create a more trusting and positive relationship, improving the
student’s confidence and overall learning experience.
Second concept or insight: high vs low context
Understanding the difference between high-context and low-context communication
could be really helpful. High-context communication tends to be more indirect and relies
on social and non-verbal signals, while low-context communication is more direct and
focuses on clear, explicit explanations. For the student I will be helping, I think a low-
context approach might be more effective, where I give clear instructions and explain
things step by step. This is especially important if the student is not used to certain types
of communication or tutoring.
If the student comes from a different cultural background, it’s also important to be aware
of potential high-context communication, where she might express her needs or
difficulties more indirectly or non-verbally. Understanding her communication style and
needs will help me respond better to her situation, ensuring we can work together
effectively.
