Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 18:37

Hello Mr. Martin and the Team, Our class is wondering what it is like to work on an international team. Are their any cultural or language differences that make it difficult to communicate.

We love the pictures, and have a contest guessing the fur of your hat? Any hints? Jillians Class in Flagstaff Arizona Giavanna, Zach, Aex, Jacob, Quinton, Andreya, Greg, Bob, Willy

Tim Martin

Hello Flagstaff.
Good question... yes it is very challenging... one thing... the computer I am using now has a different keyboard so I am trying to type in English on a German computer... sometime I have been doing the same on a Russian computer. 
Communication is tough but a lot of fun.  On a break today I sat down with a Russian driller and I showed him pictures on my computer... my home, family and things I like to do... We were able to communicate with hand gestures... he learned some English and I learned some Russian in the process.  
All of the science team knows English, but we all wish we knew more Russian to better communicate with our local support people like our cook, drivers, and equipment operators...but we are slowly learning
T-Mart