Beyond Tourism provides cultural training to move you beyond surface-level observation and sightseeing, toward in-depth connection across cultures.
Go from uncomfortable, confusing cross-cultural interactions to confidently making friends abroad with Beyond Tourism’s Individual Intercultural Training.
Have you ever booked an international trip, thinking you would explore the world and change your perspective? Then you ran into unspoken cultural expectations, got confused and embarrassed, and walked away from your opportunities to actually grow and change? You missed the deeper connection you were hoping for. Being culturally unprepared for international travel is common, because it’s rarely discussed.
But just because you cross an international border doesn’t automatically mean you will be changed. You can visit the Eiffel Tower, The Great Wall of China, Victoria Falls, and come home with the same assumptions you had when you left.
Here’s what often gets in the way of meaningful cross-cultural relationships:
You don’t understand how your own culture impacts your behavior.
Allowing your unexplored assumptions to damage your cross-cultural friendships.
Not knowing the right questions to ask when you’re engaging interculturally.
Not knowing how you should act when confusing situations arise.
Assuming that you don’t have any preconceived, unconscious ideas that show up in how you interact. (We all have them, and they must be examined to bring them into our awareness)
Darby’s Story…
“Working with Renae and going through the initial CQ Workshop is just the beginning of a new understanding for me as I continue to work closely with many people from other cultures. I was challenged to consider ALL the cultural backgrounds and cultural containers in which I live and interact with daily. Though it will be a deeply introspective process with much “mind-“ and “heart-work,” I’ve no doubt the journey will be richer and interactions with others more genuine than had I not embarked on this relationship with Beyond Tourism & CQ. Thank you, Renae, for sharing your passion with me and encouraging me!”
✈️ Darby’s experience is a great example of what happens when you approach your relationships with cultural intelligence in mind. 💡
It takes a lot of time to pack up and take yourself across the world, whether it’s for leisure travel, being a digital nomad, or moving abroad.
You’re not just crossing borders for the sake of crossing borders. You want your travel to be impactful on who you are as a person.
Making friends across cultural borders is harder than you think, and you need to be ready to face confusing interactions and unspoken expectations.
Traveling or moving internationally is hard enough as it is, worrying about apartments, hotels, visas, flights, and the practical side of things. Don’t ignore your preparation for capably building friendships while abroad.
How I Struggled While Living Abroad And What It Means For You
Hi! I’m Renae and I own and operate Beyond Tourism. I love talking about, thinking about, and teaching about cultural intelligence. It’s one of the most exciting things I’ve discovered in life and has allowed me to get to know and hear the stories of some of the most remarkable people on the planet.
I lived abroad in South Korea for a year in my 20s teaching English to kids. Many of my fellow English teachers were content to interact with other Westerners, but I prioritized learning the Korean language, meeting Korean friends, and connecting with my Korean colleagues. It was hard to put myself out there, and I have many stories of awkward encounters and misunderstandings, but the effort was worth it.
When I came back, I struggled to find the words to explain what I went through, until I read a book about cultural values. I learned to describe the differences in culture between South Korea and the USA, and this gave me words to process and understand my experiences.
I wished someone had taught me before I left, so I could have understood what was happening around me, so that I could have shown up as a better American to my Korean friends and acquaintances. I wonder what I missed. That’s why I founded Beyond Tourism, so others don’t have to wonder.
You can read more of my story here, including about my passion for music from around the world. I am certified by the Cultural Intelligence Center .
Me in Seoul in 2005.
That Lonely Planet guide got a lot of use.
Introducing…
The Individual Intercultural Training - the personalized experience to to help you thrive across all cultures.
Here’s what you will get…
🧭 A Personalized 2-Hour One-on-One Training Session
Tailored to your goals, cultural context, and life situation. You’ll receive real-time guidance, real-world scenarios, and actionable tools.
🌍 Intercultural Self-Awareness
Uncover how your cultural lens shapes your assumptions, reshape those assumptions, and learn how to adapt with confidence.
🧠 Practical Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Strategies
Learn to read between the lines, recognize cultural patterns, and flex your behavior to build trust and credibility across cultures.
✈️ Immediate Application
Whether you’re heading to Germany, Ghana, or your next Zoom call with a global team, walk away with clarity, confidence, and a custom plan.
💡 Research-Based Cultural Assessment
Complete the CQ Pro Assessment and receive a personalized debrief from Renae, certified by the Cultural Intelligence Center.
Are you planning to move abroad? Have you just moved abroad?
This section is for you. ❤️
You’ve spent months packing, saying your goodbyes, sorting visas, and finding a new home. But once you arrive, you realize you hadn’t planned for the hardest part — adjusting to a new culture.
This stage can feel lonely and mentally draining. You notice unspoken expectations from neighbours and colleagues, and you’re unsure how to act. Should you bring gifts? Is it okay to greet people on the street? What are the rules for invitations or celebrations?
When you don’t prepare for these moments, building friendships across cultures can feel overwhelming. Culture shock is real, and it touches the very core of who you are.
You don’t have to struggle alone. With the right guidance, you can feel confident, connected, and ready to thrive in your new home. Email Renae at renae@goingbeyondtourism.com to explore your options.
Yes, Renae! I’m ready to make the world feel less foreign and be ready to thrive abroad!
Instead of confusion and miscommunication over unspoken cultural expectations, I’m ready to turn confusion into connection—so my international journey becomes an opportunity for real growth.
1️⃣ Email Renae with questions at renae@goingbeyondtourism.com. You can request a free consultation to get all your questions answered first.
2️⃣Purchase the training.
3️⃣ Schedule your two-hour training at a time that works for you.
4️⃣ Renae will send you the link to the CQ Pro Assessment. Take the assessment.
5️⃣ Show up to the session prepared to expand your mind and understanding of culture.
✅Walk away with a clear action plan and the confidence to build meaningful cross-cultural relationships.
Here’s what past clients discovered through their Beyond Tourism experience.
“I feel like I understand myself better by looking through a cultural lens.” Jody
“I learned that cultural curiosity and humility can be done without coming off as rude!” Rachel
“I learned about individual versus collective mindsets, and that we are very individual.” Julie
These insights come from our proven approach to building Cultural Intelligence, using the CQ Model and CQ Pro Assessments.
Download a free sample report here.
Explore our latest articles to deepen your understanding of cultural intelligence
Investment is two hours and only $300.
Some businesses include long-term coaching, counseling, and a significant financial contribution.
This 2-hour session is designed for travelers, digital nomads, and anyone ready to confidently navigate cultural differences without the time or cost of long-term coaching.
Questions? Email Renae at renae@goingbeyondtourism.com
I’m deeply passionate about helping people connect meaningfully across cultures, using the knowledge I’ve gained from years of intercultural experience.
With so many people traveling internationally, I believe cultural intelligence should be affordable and accessible to everyone, which is why I’ve kept the cost low. This knowledge has been taught primarily in the corporate sector for too long, but it’s important for everyone.
What is Cultural Intelligence?
Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is what helps you thrive in today’s multicultural world. It’s the ability to relate and work effectively across cultures. It’s a skill that transforms how you travel, work, and connect.
Beyond Tourism uses the Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Model to assess your current abilities and cultural preferences, then helps you learn how to identify and adapt to cultural differences with confidence.
The CQ model is based on decades of research on intelligence and cultural exchange. Soon Ang and Lynn Van Dyne are the researchers that led this unique line of inquiry and developed the model. Follow this link to explore the research basis for the CQ model in more depth.
Got More Questions? I’ve Got Answers
What is the assessment like?
There are two things measured during an assessment. First, your cultural values will be measured (for example, individualism vs. collectivism). Second, the four dimensions of CQ will be measured. Those are CQ Drive (motivational CQ), CQ Knowledge (cognitive CQ), CQ Strategy (metacognitive CQ) and CQ Action (behavioral CQ). This is the actual measurement of your cultural intelligence that can grow with time and effort and predicts your intercultural effectiveness. Your results will be presented to you on a percentage scale, based on the hundreds of thousands of others who have taken the same assessment around the world. During our workshops and in debriefs we go into much more detail about these 4 dimensions of cultural intelligence, how they interplay and how to improve your scores.
Can you work with a group?
Yes, I have done that many times. It can be extremely rewarding for a group traveling together to go through this content. They are able to support each other and provide accountability before, during and after they travel. Groups that are from diverse backgrounds especially find this content helpful and they are finally able to openly discuss and address behaviors and mindsets that have been made taboo for a long time. If you’re travelling as a group, let’s create a workshop that fits your needs and schedule.
Can’t I figure it out on my own?
You can, but you might not even realize what behaviors to look out for, or how they affect your interactions. I wish I’d had this training before I lived abroad. I would have saved me so many awkward moments and I would have been able to build deeper relationships.
Can’t I read a book?
Sure! You can, and I do all the time. I have decades of experience in intercultural settings, including interpreting culturally informed behaviors and how cultural values can interact. I’ve traveled to 13 countries and worked with people from over 30 countries (from all continents except Antarctica). I read textbooks and scholarly articles for fun. I have helped an uncountable number of people open their eyes to their own cultural programming, leading to their ability to remain open to the lessons that the people of the world are trying to teach them. You get my support walking you through what can be a minefield of assumptions and confusion with dignity to all people and cultures, and patience for shaking loose from your own presumptions. A book gives you information. A session with me gives you transformation.
Your investment: just $300 for a lifetime of cross-cultural confidence.
In an increasingly interconnected world, cultural intelligence is the skill we all need for the future. It gives you an edge in your career, education, and life, wherever this big, beautiful planet takes you.
The skills to adapt our minds to be more culturally aware must be accessible to all people.
This training isn’t for you if you expect others to act just like you, or if you’re only after pretty photos and comfort zones.
But it’s perfect if you’re moving abroad, working with people from different backgrounds, or simply want to connect more genuinely across cultures while traveling.
Final Message From Renae
Take it from me and learn from my mistakes. Don’t skip cultural preparation before going abroad. This isn’t just a one-time lesson, it’s a lifelong skill that grows with you as you meet people from around the world.
If you already know this is exactly what you’ve been searching for, don’t wait until you’ve accidentally crossed an invisible cultural line. Invest in yourself now, build your confidence, and create the kind of life you want in another country.
Renae Ninneman
Founder of Beyond Tourism
renae@goingbeyondtourism.com
NEW! Curious + Humble: Your Workbook for Meaningful, Culturally Aware Travel.
Not quite ready for one-on-one training? Start your journey with the Curious + Humble workbook and make your travels more meaningful and transformative.
Packed with 24 pages of reflective exercises, stories, and tools to help you travel with deeper awareness and connection. (No AI used in the creation of my workbook.)
Just released! Normally $25, but use code CURIOUSTRAVEL to get $10 off until the end of October.
MORE INFO
See my blog post featured on
Travel Massive, entitled:
If Travel Is The Best Education, Are We Missing The Lesson?
Featured on the following podcasts:
Moving Abroad Coach Podcast: Episode #129 Want to Adapt Abroad? Cultural Intelligence Is the Skill you Need (with Renae Ninneman)
List on Spotify ** Listen on Apple Podcasts ** Listen on BuzzSprout
The Thoughtful Travel Podcast: Episode #358 Solo Travel for Women
List on Spotify ** Listen on Apple Podcasts ** Listen on YouTube
“International travel is consistently listed as being among the top three to five transformative experiences in the lives of adults. Experiencing the jarring nature of being removed from our familiar surrounding, when combined with these other practices, is one of the most powerful ways to look below the tip of the iceberg. Those of us with opportunities to travel abroad are entrusted with an amazing resource for deepening our interpretive CQ.”
— David Livermore in
Cultural Intelligence: Improving Your CQ to Engage With Our Multicultural World
Our Story
In the Beyond Tourism logo, you’ll see a paper crane, a symbol of peace and hope inspired by the story of Sadako Sasaki.
Sadako Sasaki was a young girl in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb fell. Like many others, she later developed what became known as ‘A-bomb disease.’ While in hospital, a friend told her that if she folded 1,000 paper cranes, she would be granted a wish. Sadako folded more than 1,000 before she passed away.
In 2017, I had the opportunity to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Children’s Peace Monument, which was built in Sadako’s honour in the 1950s. Seeing thousands of cranes from around the world left a lasting impression on me.
At Beyond Tourism, we believe that genuine connection across cultures has the power to change the world. It isn’t always easy, it’s far more comfortable to stay within our own cultural bubbles, but real growth happens when we step beyond them. Beyond Tourism helps you examine your cultural behaviors and learn to adapt. Whether you’re travelling abroad, working in a multicultural team, or supporting your local community, your new cultural intelligence skills will help you find the true riches of the world—its people.
