Cross-Cultural Mediators: what they do and how to become one?
Cultural mediators prepare and help people, businesses and governmental bodies to predict and forsee cultural differences and avoid problems arising from these.
Education
there is not a precise norm that defines this profession and in every country you can find different paths of how to become a cultural mediator.
Generally at least secondary school education is required, depending on the country you can find different courses, organised by schools or regions, to refine your professionality.
If you want to add a university degree to your profession you can choose from a variety of fields, such as Linguistic and Cultural Mediation Sciences, Oriental and African studies, Cross Cultural communication etc.
Job market
The need for cultural mediators varies enormously throughout the European region. Countries with a high demand for Mediators are typically the bigger member states of the EU receiving high numbers of immigrants (Italy, France Germany and UK) from Eastern Europe or Arabic countries.
Schools, hospitals, police, judicial system and administration are the sectors where mediators are the most hired.
In business the situation is a little bit different, here general knowledge especially of oriental, and East European culture is essential. Together with language skills this can open doors not only for the company you are working for but also for you as a person.
Also, specific skills, being a celebrity related to the area can create a favourable business climate.
For example the Swedish table tennis player Jan-Ove Waldner is often used by companies to smoothen red tape and attract interest in China.
Since the profession – Cross-cultural mediation is fairly new there are no exact figures of an average salary but expect from 30 000 Euro and up if you work in north or west Europe. Of course if you have a specific skill in some field or knowledge of several languages the amount can be much higher.
Is cultural mediating something for you?
Have you lived abroad and speak more languages?
Are you interested in a specific part of the world?
If yes, maybe cultural mediating is something for YOU.
