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    • Quick addendum: Weekly Costs

    2010 - 01.11

    Category cross-cultural, cultural awareness, cultural curiosity, cultural intelligence, cultural tours, cultural understanding, culture | No Comments »

    In our last update, we neglected to give the total weekly cost for the tour — a minor detail!

    As mentioned earlier, all participants will be making their own flight arrangements directly with Golden Rule Travel; so apart from your air travel, the total cost per week will be $1500. This includes all hotels (3 star), all meals, ground transportation, all museums and attractions, and gratuities. You will be responsible for any discretionary spending, such as souvenirs, snacks, and travel insurance, should you so choose.

    And don’t forget that contributions toward your trip are tax-deductible — so get those creative juices flowing to come up with your own fundraising ideas. And remember that all participants who sign-up by January 28 will benefit from the proceeds of the Lifesong Theatre Group production of Fiddler on the Roof in Nashville, Jan. 29-31 and Feb. 4-6.

    For a tour description, just scroll down two posts.

    Questions? E-mail us at worldtothewise.net.

    Let the fun (and sign-ups begin!)

    Registration now open for the inaugural World to the Wise Cultural Tour!

    2010 - 01.07

    Tags: , , Category Uncategorized, cross-cultural, cultural awareness, cultural curiosity, cultural intelligence, cultural tours, cultural understanding, culture | No Comments »

    Dear friends,

    Our anticipation is growing daily as we prepare for the inaugural World to the Wise Cultural Tour. We’re pleased to announce that we’re now taking registrations! But first, some important news:

    All contributions to your costs as a tour participant are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!

    We have made arrangements for World to the Wise Cultural Tours to be a subsidiary of Crucible International, a nonprofit we started in 2005. The mission of World to the Wise is to feed cultural curiosity and promote cultural intelligence. This dovetails with The Crucible’s mission to equip people with tools to impact and help shape culture. NOTE: Payments will be made directly to World to the Wise Cultural Tours.

    This means, for example, that students whose grandparents, other relatives or friends would like to contribute toward the expenses of this life-shaping experience will receive a tax deduction. Hopefully this will make it easier for any and all of our participants to raise the necessary funds. Please note that the tour is open to people of all ages – not just students!

    Need a reminder of the dates and destinations? For a tour description, see previous post.

    We are partnering with Golden Rule Travel to make travel arrangements. Each participant must contact Golden Rule directly to make his/her flight arrangements. This will allow for anyone desiring to book an alternate itinerary – whether it be going early, staying later, or visiting other European destinations. Through a contract Golden Rule has with United Airlines, we have found some reasonable airfares for that time of year, with no charge for changes made up to a certain date. Golden Rule’s contact info will be included in your registration packet.

    So how do you register? Simply send an e-mail to admin@worldtothewise.net stating your name, address, desired destination(s) and the number of travelers. You will then receive a registration packet, including a simple form to fill out and return, along with a deposit of $200. This deposit will be refundable for a limited time.

    Some thoughts on fundraising:

    You are of course free to raise funds for your trip in any and every way you choose; however, here is one opportunity for all registrants to receive a boost as you consider your own fundraising ideas. Part of the proceeds of the Lifesong Theatre Group’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” in Nashville Jan. 29-31 and Feb. 4-6, will go towards the travel expenses of all participants who have registered by January 28. Even if you don’t live in the Nashville area, or even if you don’t attend the play (we hope you will!), you will benefit if you have signed up by Jan. 28! Details for the musical can be found on Facebook by typing Fiddler on the Roof into the Facebook search bar.

    We look forward to having you on board our very first adventure together as World to the Wise Cultural Tours! Don’t put off signing up – space is limited! Questions? E-mail us at admin@worldtothewise.net.

    Yours for the culturally curious,

    David Durham

    to the Wise Cultural Tour Update
    Dear friends,
    Our anticipation is growing daily as we prepare for the inaugural World to the Wise Cultural Tour. We’re pleased to announce that we’re now taking registrations! But first, some important news:
    All contributions to your costs as a tour participant are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!
    We have made arrangements for World to the Wise Cultural Tours to be a subsidiary of Crucible International, a nonprofit we started in 2005. The mission of World to the Wise is to feed cultural curiosity and promote cultural intelligence. This dovetails with The Crucible’s mission to equip people with tools to impact and help shape culture. NOTE: Payments will be made directly to World to the Wise Cultural Tours.
    This means, for example, that students whose grandparents, other relatives or friends would like to contribute toward the expenses of this life-shaping experience will receive a tax deduction. Hopefully this will make it easier for any and all of our participants to raise the necessary funds. Please note that the tour is open to people of all ages – not just students!
    Need a reminder of the dates and destinations? For a tour description, click here.
    We are partnering with Golden Rule Travel to make travel arrangements. Each participant must contact Golden Rule directly to make his/her flight arrangements. This will allow for anyone desiring to book an alternate itinerary – whether it be going early, staying later, or visiting other European destinations. Through a contract Golden Rule has with United Airlines, we have found some reasonable airfares for that time of year, with no charge for changes made up to a certain date. Golden Rule’s contact info will be included in your registration packet.
    So how do you register? Simply send an e-mail to admin@worldtothewise.net stating your name, address, desired destination(s) and the number of travelers. You will then receive a registration packet, including a simple form to fill out and return, along with a deposit of $200. This deposit will be refundable for a limited time.
    Some thoughts on fundraising:
    You are of course free to raise funds for your trip in any and every way you choose; however, here is one opportunity for all registrants to receive a boost as you consider your own fundraising ideas. Part of the proceeds of the Lifesong Theatre Group’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” in Nashville Jan. 29-31 and Feb. 4-6, will go towards the travel expenses of all participants who have registered by January 28. Even if you don’t live in the Nashville area, or even if you don’t attend the play (we hope you will!), you will benefit if you have signed up by Jan. 28! Details for the musical can be found on Facebook by typing Fiddler on the Roof into the Facebook search bar.
    We look forward to having you on board our very first adventure together as World to the Wise Cultural Tours! Don’t put off signing up – space is limited! Questions? E-mail us at admin@worldtothewise.netWorld to the Wise Cultural Tour Update
    Dear friends,
    Our anticipation is growing daily as we prepare for the inaugural World to the Wise Cultural Tour. We’re pleased to announce that we’re now taking registrations! But first, some important news:
    All contributions to your costs as a tour participant are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!
    We have made arrangements for World to the Wise Cultural Tours to be a subsidiary of Crucible International, a nonprofit we started in 2005. The mission of World to the Wise is to feed cultural curiosity and promote cultural intelligence. This dovetails with The Crucible’s mission to equip people with tools to impact and help shape culture. NOTE: Payments will be made directly to World to the Wise Cultural Tours.
    This means, for example, that students whose grandparents, other relatives or friends would like to contribute toward the expenses of this life-shaping experience will receive a tax deduction. Hopefully this will make it easier for any and all of our participants to raise the necessary funds. Please note that the tour is open to people of all ages – not just students!
    Need a reminder of the dates and destinations? For a tour description, click here.
    We are partnering with Golden Rule Travel to make travel arrangements. Each participant must contact Golden Rule directly to make his/her flight arrangements. This will allow for anyone desiring to book an alternate itinerary – whether it be going early, staying later, or visiting other European destinations. Through a contract Golden Rule has with United Airlines, we have found some reasonable airfares for that time of year, with no charge for changes made up to a certain date. Golden Rule’s contact info will be included in your registration packet.
    So how do you register? Simply send an e-mail to admin@worldtothewise.net stating your name, address, desired destination(s) and the number of travelers. You will then receive a registration packet, including a simple form to fill out and return, along with a deposit of $200. This deposit will be refundable for a limited time.
    Some thoughts on fundraising:
    You are of course free to raise funds for your trip in any and every way you choose; however, here is one opportunity for all registrants to receive a boost as you consider your own fundraising ideas. Part of the proceeds of the Lifesong Theatre Group’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” in Nashville Jan. 29-31 and Feb. 4-6, will go towards the travel expenses of all participants who have registered by January 28. Even if you don’t live in the Nashville area, or even if you don’t attend the play (we hope you will!), you will benefit if you have signed up by Jan. 28! Details for the musical can be found on Facebook by typing Fiddler on the Roof into the Facebook search bar.
    We look forward to having you on board our very first adventure together as World to the Wise Cultural Tours! Don’t put off signing up – space is limited! Questions? E-mail us at admin@worldtothewise.net.

    Announcing the 2010 World to the Wise Cultural Tour

    2009 - 11.17

    Category cross-cultural, cultural awareness, cultural curiosity, cultural tours, cultural understanding, culture | No Comments »

    We are happy to announce plans to host our first ever World to the Wise Cultural Tour. We have designed it in a modular format so that travelers will be able to choose one, two, or three one-week periods. Here are the details!

    Big Ben LONDON   June 12 – 19, 2010

    Many Americans have the feeling of coming home when they discover this land that is the mother country to  many of our ancestors. Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge, Westminster Abby, Big  Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Globe Theatre, some of the most amazing museums in the world, the Tube, the River  Thames, cream tea, shortbread, meat pies, homes of some of English literature’s greats, and on and on!

    Eiffel Tower PARIS   June 19-26

    Often called the Pearl of Europe and the City of Lights, this gem has probably inspired more songs and literature than any other city. Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, the Palace of Versailles, the Latin Quarter with its sidewalk artists, the Arche de Triomphe and Champs Elysées…not to mention the obligatory sidewalk cafés, croissants, pastries, baguettes, cheese. (Oops, got a little side-tracked there.…) One evening will be spent with local Parisian friends over dinner, comparing our impressions of each other’s culture, laughing at ourselves, and learning to appreciate the inherent beauty of every culture.

    Amsterdam AMSTERDAM  June 26 – July 3

    One of the most charming cities in all of Europe, Amsterdam has a character all its own. Journey back to the  Golden Age of the Netherlands, when Amsterdam was one of the largest and most powerful commercial cities in  the world. Visit the world-famous Rijksmuseum, home of the Dutch Masters, as well as the amazing Van Gogh  Museum. Take a boat ride on the city’s intricate canal system while admiring the charm of the 17th and 18th  century row houses that line the canals. Visit the historic home of Anne Frank, as well as the Ten Boom house in  Haarlem, made famous in Corrie ten Boom’s moving book, The Hiding Place. Experience the world’s largest tulip fields and greenhouses, as well as the home of the famous Delft Blue China. And spend an evening over dinner with local Amsterdammers and learn the meaning of gezelligheid (hint: coziness to the max).

    As mentioned above, travelers will have the choice of joining us for one, two, or all three consecutive weeks in three of Europe’s greatest cultural capitals.

    It’s time to start planning (and saving) now! To get on our mailing list to receive updates, just fill in your name and e-mail address in the form to the right, and we’ll keep you up to date.

    Registration will begin soon, so let us hear from you and we’ll send you the initial information on costs, passport application, etc.

    Now Taking Votes: Amsterdam or Paris?

    2009 - 08.13

    Category Uncategorized, cultural curiosity | No Comments »

    We are now planning our next World to the Wise Cultural Tour for spring break of 2010, i.e. mid-March. We have room for 20-25 culturally curious travelers, and have narrowed our destination down to two options:

    AmsterdamAmsterdam – unique architecture & charm, canals, Dutch Masters, Van Gogh, rich history, Anne Frank, Corrie ten Boom and the Hiding Place, world’s largest flower market, the warmth of the Dutch people (who almost all speak English!)

    OR:

    Eiffel Tower b&wParis - the Louvre, the Impressionists, Versailles palace, Eiffel Tower, Latin Quarter, sidewalk cafés, French cuisine, Champs Elysées, Parisian hosts

    Please click on the comment link below and add your preference — and if you’re interested in either one, say so! We’ll announce our decision soon and begin taking reservations. In any case, this inaugural Cultural Tour promises to leave a lasting impression!

    The Art of Translating a Song

    2009 - 08.10

    Category Uncategorized | No Comments »

    If you’ve ever sung “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” in church, or grew  up singing “Are You Sleeping” as a child, you’ve sung songs that were originally written in a language other than English. Most of us are unaware of the art involved in the translation of a song; we somehow think it’s simply a matter of translating the literal words of the song from one language to another.

    Nothing could be farther from the truth! If a song is intended to be sung in another language, it must of course be crafted in such a way that the new words fit the rhythm of the melody — all the way down to the number of syllables. This inevitably means that a literal translation is usually impossible when creating a singable translation — which sometimes comes as a bit of a shock to the uninitiated! The goal of the song translator is to create a singable version of the song that has the same musical flow as the original language, while maintaining the integrity of the ideas expressed in the lyric. It therefore takes a good dose of artistic talent and sensitivity to render a worthy song translation.

    Let’s take the example of “Are You Sleeping” — as you know, the French words go like this:

    Frère Jacques, frère Jacques

    Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?

    If we were to translate those lines literally, it would come out like this:

    Brother James, brother James

    Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?

    Try singing that! (This does not explain why we sing “John” in English, instead of “James”, which is the translation of “Jacques”!)

    So whoever translated the first song switched the first two lines in order to fit the rhythm of the melody. This is but a small yet representative example of what song translators deal with on a regular basis.

    Our song translators are experienced craftsmen who are poets in their own right, paying careful attention to the vital components mentioned above. The sign of a great translation is that those singing it cannot even tell it’s a translation, just as many people have no idea that “A Mighty Fortress” was initially written in German! This is the goal of all our translators at World to the Wise. We also have them work in teams in order to complement each other’s strengths and thereby produce a better result.

    To find out more about our song translation services, e-mail us at admin@worldtothewise.net.

    Traveling in Comfort

    2009 - 08.03

    Category business travel, cross-cultural, cultural awareness, cultural curiosity, cultural intelligence, cultural understanding, international culture, travel | No Comments »

    If you’ve traveled abroad, you know what I’m talking about — chances are, the airplane passengers or the tourists wearing white tennis shoes at the Eiffel Tower are Americans.


    While travelers from many cultures don one of their nicer outfits for the trip, Americans opt for comfort. As Sarah Lanier puts it in her book, Foreign to Familiar, there is something in the American mindset that says being comfortable is of higher importance than looking appropriate.

    There is a reason for this, Lanier goes on to explain. It turns out that cultures that are generally more informal — including not only the US, but also Australia, the modern state of Israel and Canada, for example — are the younger countries who have had less time to develop age-old traditions piled high on top of each other. The older, more traditional cultures are called “high-context” cultures, while the newer cultures are “low-context’. Even in poor countries, the people dress their very best when going to a meeting, out in public or to someone else’s home for dinner.

    Americans, Australians and other low-context cultures are quick to address each other by their first names. Even though I’ve now been back in the US for fifteen years after living in Europe, I’m still taken aback at times how even in somewhat formal situations, such as in TV or radio interviews, the first name is used immediately.

    Remember, we’re not talking necessarily about right or wrong here — but what is important is that the traveler be oriented to the host culture he or she is visiting. Otherwise, innocent mistakes will often be interpreted as insults. This works in both directions: the Korean culture, for example, is one of the oldest on the planet, therefore extremely high-context. Koreans immigrating to the US should be prepared for the shock of informal American culture. Many Koreans prefer to be addressed by Mr., Miss or Mrs. and their surname, and are often offended when immediately addressed by their first name.

    The quintessential low-context culture is southern California, which explains why many people in California, whether natives or recent arrivals, feel a sense of freedom to be creative, start new trends, or be different.

    You translate songs?

    2009 - 07.28

    Category Uncategorized | 3 comments

    In our last post, we mentioned that one of the services of World to the Wise is translation. What comes to mind first for most of us is perhaps business documents, user manuals or even books. We say yes to all of the above — but we also translate songs!

    Who would possibly have any use for song translations, you ask? Here are some of our current clients’  reasons for seeking our services:

    - a publisher of Christian worship songs wants to have their songs translated into Spanish so churches all over the Hispanic world can sing them in their own language. We also offer the same services in Portuguese, German, French, Dutch, and more!

    - a band in the Los Angeles area needs one of their songs translated into Spanish so they can reach a broader audience

    - a French-speaking artist from Quebec wants one of his songs translated into English so the American audience can discover it

    - A record label gets requests to have their artists’ songs translated into multiple languages; we identify or create the best, most artistically crafted translations of their songs and they approve these as the ‘authorized’ translation to prevent confusion and help the writers receive the royalties they deserve!

    I could go on…just send us an e-mail at admin@worldtothewise.net for more information.

    Cultural Carnivores

    2009 - 07.13

    Category Rick Steves, cultural awareness, cultural curiosity, cultural intelligence | No Comments »


    One of my favorite travel hosts is Rick Steves, mainly because of his infectious passion for discovery and his admiration of cultural diversity. In his latest blog, he talks about being inspired all over again by his daughter’s current travels through Spain — and ‘their unbridled fun — not gumming the culture, but tearing into it with carnivorous teeth and selfish abandon.’


    Here’s to cultural carnivores.

    2009 - 07.02

    Category Uncategorized | No Comments »


    Artist Luke Jerram wants to awaken Londoners from their humdrum daily routine and add a little music to the urban atmosphere. Jerram has had 30 pianos placed at well-known locations such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, Millenium Bridge and the Liverpool Street Station. Called “Play Me, I’m Yours,” the project is produced by a nonprofit called Sing London and City of London Festival. The pianos are intended for passers-by to perform impromptu recitals — whether beginners or accomplished pianists — anyone inclined to tickle the ivories. The instruments come complete with songbooks and are locked to the nearest bench or railing. They are also customized to fit their surroundings; at the Royal Exchange, for example, the piano has money printed on it.


    Jerram has already pulled this off in cities from Sydney to Sao Paolo…perhaps coming to a city near you.

    Hot Climate – Cold Climate

    2009 - 06.25

    Category Foreign to Familiar, cross-cultural, cultural awareness, cultural intelligence | No Comments »

    In her book, Foreign to Familiar, my former colleague Sarah Lanier explains the concept of hot-climate and cold-climate cultures. Generally speaking (there are always exceptions), those who are from hot-climate countries are more relationally oriented, whereas cold-climate cultures are more task-oriented. If you’re not familiar with this concept, it may initially come across as such a generalization that it’s untenable; but the more you think about it, the more it seems to make sense — even within the United States. People from the South are generally more relationship oriented, whereas Northerners are most often characterized as business-like.


    In Europe, the dinstinctions are virtually undeniable: northern Europeans have a vastly different approach to life from southern Europeans. We could continue to cite examples from around the world. Distinctions can also be drawn between urban and rural or agrarian societies. This has a myriad of ramifications — what is considered polite and customary in one culture may be considered entirely inappropriate in another.

    Awareness of fundamental truths like this can often make all the difference in intercultural relationships, whether in business or friendships. Lanier recounts a conversation on an airplane, where a Lebanese woman lamented that if she had only understood this concept earlier in the eight years she had lived in the US, she would surely have more friends by now:

    ‘I’ve been lonely since moving here, and now I know why. When people in the office would ask me if I wanted to go to lunch, I would say no to be polite, fully expecting them to ask me again. When they didn’t and left without me, I thought they didn’t really want me along and had asked only out of politeness. In my culture, it would have been too forward to say yes the first time.’
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