Ruhann Fourie
Founder & Owner | Cross Cultûra
Hi, I’m Ruhann.
I’m an intercultural educator and consultant with more than 20 years of international experience helping people connect across cultural and cognitive differences. I’ve lived and worked in three countries and now call Canada home.
At Cross Cultûra, I work with individuals and organizations that want to improve how they communicate, lead, and work in diverse environments. Whether you’re welcoming newcomers, expanding globally, or navigating cultural misunderstandings, I’ll help you build the skills and systems to succeed.
Let’s build a more culturally responsive future—together.
Qualifications & Certificates
- Master of Education (Thompson Rivers University, Canada)
- BA Modern European Language (University of Pretoria, South Africa)
- CELTA – Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Cambridge, UK)
- Qualified Administrator (QA) – Intercultural Development Inventory
- Certified Administrator – Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory
- Practitioner – Neethling Brain Institute
Experience
- Culture awareness training and development for participants from China, India, Taiwan, Mexico, Peru, South Korea, Japan, Ghana, Colombia, Germany and Spain.
- Live and work experience in three countries: Canada, the United Kingdom and South Africa.
- Staff onboarding workshops and course design.
- Intercultural communication and language development planning and course design.
- Government language skills development.
- Study abroad culture preparedness workshops – development and delivery.
- Conflict minimization workshops.
- Leadership development.
- Teambuilding
Background
My journey into intercultural understanding began in London, UK, where I spent two years working and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. This experience ignited a deep interest in how different nationalities and cultures shape the way people experience the world—not only through language but also through their approaches to interaction and their overall outlook on life.
Upon returning to my home country of South Africa, I pursued my undergraduate degree in Modern European Languages with a minor in Sociology. This academic foundation strengthened my appreciation for cultural diversity and human behavior. Following my graduation, I qualified as an English Second Language instructor through Cambridge University and fully immersed myself in teaching. I worked at a language facility that supports individuals from various African countries, helping them prepare for life in South Africa—whether as university students or as spouses of expatriates.
In 2017, I had the opportunity to immigrate to Canada, a country renowned for its cultural diversity. I initially continued my career teaching English in the Canadian government sector in Ottawa. Later, I moved to British Columbia and joined Thompson Rivers University (TRU) at their International Training Centre, which specializes in short-term focused programs. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced our offices to pause operations, I took the opportunity to pursue a Master of Education degree, with my final year project centered on leadership development. Upon completion, I returned to TRU as a curriculum and instructor coordinator for the International Training Centre, where I continue to develop language and intercultural training programs for our global partners.
Now, with over 20 years of experience in training and coaching, I am dedicated to helping others develop their intercultural understanding. My goal is to equip individuals with the skills and awareness necessary to navigate cultural differences effectively—whether in personal, academic, or professional settings. Through tailored coaching and training, I empower people to communicate with confidence, build meaningful relationships, and thrive in diverse environments.
Cross Cultûra 