Interculturality at a US university: International faculty’s experiences with intercultural communication
Journal for Multicultural Education
ISSN: 2053-535X
Article publication date: 16 June 2021
Issue publication date: 11 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present the experiences, beliefs and perceptions of international faculty at a Research 1 institution in the Southern US regarding the perceived differences between their and their students’ and colleagues’ cultures and first languages.
Design/methodology/approach
Face-to-face interviews were conducted with four international faculty from Europe and Asia who held appointments at a Research 1 institution in the Southern US. The interviews focused on the participants’ communication experiences with students and colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Findings
The findings have implications for academic and professional development and support as they show that understanding cultural aspects of language and communication can be challenging for individuals who may not be aware of possible cultural differences.
Originality/value
This study is unique because it presents stories of faculty from different backgrounds, who were born on different continents and who learned English at different ages but are all working in a linguistically homogeneous context. Also, the originality of the study comes from examining the intercultural communication between the participating faculty and their students, as well as their colleagues.
Keywords
Citation
Stojanović, M. and Robinson, P.A. (2021), "Interculturality at a US university: International faculty’s experiences with intercultural communication", Journal for Multicultural Education, Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 225-238. https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-03-2021-0029
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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