How college students experience intercultural learning

Key features and approaches

Bibliographic Data

ID12976112
AuthorsPatricia M King (0000-0002-1108-7741, University of Michigan, corresponding author), Rosemary J Pérez (0000-0002-4005-4172, University of Michigan), Woo-Jeong Shim (University of Michigan)
Year2013
Volume6
Issue2
Pages69-83
Publication date2013-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Diversity in Higher Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1938-8934 • E-ISSN: 1938-8926
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1037/a0033243
OpenAlexW2091397713
LanguageEN
Citations received32
References cited25

Many colleges and universities in the United States aim to promote intercultural competence in their students. However, most research on this outcome has focused on the content of educational programs (what educators offer) rather than on how students experience intercultural learning. This qualitative inquiry from the Wabash National Study analyzed 207 intercultural experiences from 161 college students on 6 campuses to identify contexts, characteristics, and key features of how they experience intercultural learning. Using grounded theory approaches, we summarized student interviews over 2 years, conducted open and axial coding to identify themes, and evaluated the themes over time. Using this approach, we identified three major themes: (a) that intercultural learning occurred when students directly encountered others’ experiences; (b) that feeling safe enough to explore cultural differences was a key dimension of intercultural learning; and (c) that students used a variety of approaches that led to intercultural learning (from simply listening or watching to exploring how one’s personal identity related to intercultural understanding) and that these varied in degree of complexity and agency. Implications for practice are offered to help educators make decisions about how to promote intercultural effectiveness in collegiate settings

Active listening · Axial coding · Grounded theory · Intercultural communication · Intercultural Competence · Intercultural learning · Intercultural relations · Pedagogy · Qualitative research · Sociology · Study abroad · Communication in Education and Healthcare · Cultural Differences and Values · International Student and Expatriate Challenges · Psychology

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