| Judith Karam |
My name is Judith Karam. I was born in Beirut, Lebanon, but grew up in the Kingdom of Bahrain, a former British colony. In the Kingdom of Bahrain I attended a prestigious British school - St. Christopher’s School - where I obtained my GCSEs and A-Levels. Afterwards, I studied at Oxford Brookes University, in the UK, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in International Business and Management and a Master of Science in International Management.
As a Third Culture Kid / Third Culture Adult I have always been interested in different cultures and how culture influences one’s identity and behaviour. Thus, my research focus for both my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees was on national cultures and the affect national cultures have on organizational cultures using Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory and Fons Trompenaars’ Seven Dimensions of Culture Model. Whilst in the UK, I worked for NOP Telemarketing Services as a telemarketing researcher.
After graduating from university I returned to the Kingdom of Bahrain and worked for HSBC Bank, first as a marketing assistant and then I was promoted to Bank Corporate Affairs Representative. My job profile was to contribute to the positive and professional image of HSBC through cultivating a two-way relationship with the media, managing a programme of activities that support Bahrain's local community and coordinating internal communications within HSBC Bahrain as well as managing commercial sponsorships and corporate advertising.My achievements and contribution at HSBC Bank included: improving HSBC Bahrain's relationship with the media and developing press releases for the local newspapers; coordinating internal communications through the Intranet and by developing communications for HSBC Group publications such as MERN (Middle East Regional Newsletter); updating the HSBC Bahrain website as and when necessary; implementing a new system for 'promotional items', from ordering to supplying as well as stock control and maintenance; arranging press interviews and press conferences; managing all community sponsorships, donations and commercial sponsorships; coordinating corporate advertisements; managing the Corporate Affairs budget and ensured payments for all projects and campaigns under taken on time.
In 2005, I obtained my TEFL Certificate and moved to Xiamen, China, where I taught at Xiamen Tan Kah Kee College for two academic years, then I taught at Xiamen University for one academic year. After Xiamen, I moved to Shanghai, and taught at Fudan University for one academic year before joining Shanghai International Studies University in September 2009, which is where I still teach and lecture at present.
Courses I have taught over the years have been wide ranging and include: Academic Paper Writing Skills; Advanced Business English; Business English Report Writing Skills; Business English Writing Skills; Comprehensive Business English; English Listening and Speaking; English Speaking; English Writing Skills; International Business and Finance; Management; and Marketing.
My hobbies and interests include: solo travel, reading, and volunteering. I am a fully qualified and certified volunteer at Lifeline China (www.lifelinechina.org); a helpline that offers free, confidential and anonymous support to English speakers across China. I have been volunteering at Lifeline since October 2020.
If you would like to meet with me, you may do so at the English Corner or during my office hours. For more information on either, please contact me via email: w0914@shisu.edu.cn.