"Since I am applying for my first job out of college, I do not have any work-related experience with international suppliers. However, when I decided to become an engineer, I decided to also begin studying Chinese, because China is the world's largest market, as well as being a supplier of both labor and parts to companies around the world. I had already studied Spanish in high school, and I have maintained my proficiency in that language. In this day and age of high-speed internet, I would expect to have a number of means of communication with far-flung personnel, whether or not I was able to travel to their sites and meet them in person. Obviously, that's ideal. But between email, telephone connection and video conferences, there should be no reason not to be able to function almost as if you are in the same office. One thing I learned by studying other languages is that just because you can't spell an English word or use the wrong plural or verb tense doesn't mean you are dumb. Expressing yourself in a language that is not your own is hard work for most people. I know that you have to focus on the message that the other person is trying to convey, and I know that it helps to be clear, and to approach everyone with respect. That is how I would handle contacts with international suppliers if I were hired for this job."