Enhancing Students’ intercultural competences through University Academic Training
Abstract
The present paper aims to exhibit the benefit of intercultural educational courses in enhancing University students’ global understanding, tolerance, and inclusive social engagement. The paper displays the academic description, objectives, and implementation of the practices of the intercultural educational courses. The courses are inserted as major modules in undergraduate college studies. The case study analyzed within this experiment relates to the module entitled “Intercultural Communication”, which is part of a program that runs over three years entitled “Applied Languages in Culture” at Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco. The paper analyses quantitatively and qualitatively the attitudes and performances of undergraduate students having trained in how to succeed in communication in extreme intercultural contexts where different religions, traditions, and beliefs are encountered. Homework tasks, tests, exams, cultural exchange, and student-oriented surveys are analyzed and studied. The results produced by the immersion of intercultural courses in the university academic programs reveal that the graduated students succeed not only in being well integrated in their own cultural community but also in raising their chances of being hired in touristic companies where people from different cultures meet and interact. Such is the case of the graduates in intercultural communication taking place in Marrakech, which is a highly renowned touristic city.
References
- Aston University (2O12). Training and Assessment in Intercultural Competence: A Critical Review of Contemporary Practice in Business Education.
- Bates, Daniel G., & Fratkin, Elliot M. (2003). Cultural anthropology (3rd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
- Deardorff, Darla Karla & Arasaratnam-Smith L. (Eds.).(2017). Internationalization in higher education. Intercultural competence in higher education: International approaches, assessment and application. London, New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. Retrieved from https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/978131552 9240 https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315529257 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315529257-42
- Garson, Kyra Dawne.(2017). Internationalization and Intercultural Learning: A Mixed Methods Study. In J. Keengwe, G. M. García-Pérez, & C. Rojas-Primus (Eds.), Advances in Higher Education and Professional Development. Promoting Intercultural Communication Competencies in Higher Education (Vol. 5, pp. 54–88). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978- 1-5225-1732-0.ch003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-1732-0.ch003
- Hall, Edward Twitchell (1977). Beyond Culture. USA: Anchor Books.
- Hermeet K. Kohli, Ruth Huber, & Anna C. Faul (2010). Historical and Theoretical Development of Culturally Competent Social Work Practice. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 30(3), 252– 271. https://doi.org/10.1080/08841233.2010.499091 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08841233.2010.499091
- Huber, Josef, Reynolds, Christopher., & Barrett Martyn D. (Eds.).(2014). Pestalozzi series Série Pestalozzi: no 3. Developing intercultural competence through education: Développer la compétence interculturelle par l'éducation. Strasbourg: Council of Europe Publishing.
- Jackson, Jane. (2012). The Routledge handbook of language and intercultural communication. Routledge handbooks in applied linguistics. London: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203805640
- Jackson, Jane (2014). Introducing language and intercultural communication. London: New York.
- Jackson, Jane.(2014). Introducing language and intercultural communicationJackson, JaneJackson, Jane. London: New York. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315848938
- Keengwe, Jared, García-Pérez, Grisel María, & Rojas-Primus, Constanza (Eds.).(2017). Advances in Higher Education and ProfessionalDevelopment. Promoting Intercultural Communication Competencies in Higher Education. IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/AHEPD DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-1732-0
- Lane, Chloe. (2023). What is intercultural competence? And 4 reasons why employers value it. Retrieved from https://www.topuniversities.com/student- info/careers-advice-articles/what-intercultural- competence-4-reasons-why-employers-value-it
- Lázár, Ildikó, Huber-Kriegler, Martina, & Strange, John (2003). Mirrors and windows: An intercultural communication textbook. Strasbourg: Council of Europe Publ.
- Leavitt, Harold J., & Mueller, Ronald A. H. (1951). Some Effects of Feedback on Communication. Human Relations, 4(4), 401– 410. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872675100400406 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001872675100400406
- Leeds-Hurwitz, Wendy.(2013). Intercultural Competences: Conceptual and Operational Framework. A programLeeds-Hurwitz, WendyLeeds-Hurwitz, Wendy. Retrieved from https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf000021 9768 16. Martin, Judith N., & Nakayama, Thomas K..(2010). Intercultural communication in contexts (5th ed.)Martin, Judith N.; Nakayama, Thomas K.Martin, Judith N.; Nakayama, Thomas K. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
- McLean, Scott.(2005). The Basics of Interpersonal CommunicationMcLean, ScottMcLean, Scott. Boston: Pearson/A and B.
- Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Communication. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved February 2, 2024, from https://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/communication
- Moutsios, Stavros (2021). The ancient Greek roots of Cross-Cultural Comparison. Comparative Civilizations Review, 85(85), 79-98. Retrieved from https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/ccr/vol85/iss85/9
- Pearson, Judy C., Nelson, Paul, Titsworth, Scott, & Harter, Lynn.(2011). Human Communication (4th ed.)Pearson, Judy C.; Nelson, Paul; Titsworth, Scott; Harter, LynnPearson, Judy C.; Nelson, Paul; Titsworth, Scott; Harter, Lynn. New York: McGraw-Hill.
- Polyak, Ildiko, KKry, DDra, & Tardos, Katalin (2013). Enhancing Intercultural Competence of University Faculty. SSRN Electronic Journal, 27(4), 387. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2351881 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2351881
- Samovar, Larry A., & Mills, Jack (1998). Oral communication: Speaking across cultures / Larry A. Samovar, Jack Mills (10th ed.). Boston, Mass.: McGraw Hill.
- Samovar, Larry A., & Porter, Richard E..(2004). Communication between cultures (5th ed.). Wadsworth series in speech communication. Belmont CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
- Sierra-Huedo, Maria Luisa, & Nevado-Llopis, Almudena (2022). Promoting the Development of Intercultural Competence in Higher Education Through Intercultural Learning Interventions. Revista Electrónica Educare, 26(2), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.15359/ree.26-2.28 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15359/ree.26-2.28
- lavik Hannah (Ed.).(2004). Intercultural Communication and DiplomacySlavik, Hannah. DiploFoundation. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/diplo/docs/intercultural_comm unication_and_dip
- Sloan, Holly Goldberg (2021). The elephant in the room. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.
- Smith, Claire, (Ed.).(2014). Encyclopedia of global archaeologySmith, Claire. New York: Springer Reference. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-
- Spencer-Oatey, Helen, & Franklin, Peter.(2009). Intercultural interaction: A multidisciplinary approach to intercultural communication. Research and practice in applied linguistics. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230244511
- Tartaron, Thomas F..(2014). Cross-Cultural Interaction in the Greek World: Culture Contact Issues and Theories. In C. Smith (Ed.), Encyclopedia of global archaeology (pp. 1804– 1821). New York: Springer Reference. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0465-2_1707 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0465-2_1707
- Trenholm, Sarah, & Jensen, Arthur (2013). Interpersonal communication (7th ed.). Oxford, New York NY: Oxford University Press.
Downloads
Similar Articles
- Firas Habbal, Amjad Taha, Redefining Arab identity as an open project in a world , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Sultan Saif Bin Helal Alshehhi , Exploring the Rise of Populism Across Borders and Its Implications for Global Cooperation , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Einat Levi, The Untapped Potential of City Diplomacy in Peacebuilding in the Mena Region , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Noor Ahmad Subhi Abdelkarim, Intercultural Fashion and its Contribution to Women Empowerment in Refugee Camps in the Middle East; Refugee Artisan Collaborations by Fashion Brands , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Aharon Ariel Lavi, Acquiring through Letting Go the Bikkurim Commandment and the Foundations of Private Property , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Aleksandra Brankovic, UAE Tolerance Framework as a Base for Coexistence in a Multicultural Society , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Shefiu Abdulkareem Majemu, Strengthening Interfaith Dialogue through Religious Moderation Discourse: An African Perspective , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Gidi Grinstein, The Ethical Line Connecting Hieroglyphics to Hyperlinks , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Bernard Warnick, The Path to Tolerance begins with Eliminating Certitude , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Gidi Grinstein, The Ethical Line Connecting Hieroglyphics to Hyperlinks , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Bernard Warnick, The Path to Tolerance begins with Eliminating Certitude , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Mahmoud Kishana , المؤسسة التعليمية .. اغتيال الحوار أم بناء الحوار؟ (بين إنتاج العنف والتفكير الناقد) , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Murtaza Ujjainwala , Therapeutic Implications of Ahkam al Tajweed , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Hicham Ismaili , الحكم الذاتي: المفاهيم والنماذج والتحديات , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Einat Levi, The Untapped Potential of City Diplomacy in Peacebuilding in the Mena Region , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Yousef El Hicho, الحق في الاختلاف في التراث العربي الاسلاميـ التراث الكلامي نموذجا ـ , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Odeya Schuz, Nesya Rubinstein-Shemer, صنع السلام بين الاسرائيليين والفلسطينيين وفق أراء الحاخامات: موقف الحاخام عوبديا يوسف أنموذجا , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Firas Habbal, Amjad Taha, Redefining Arab identity as an open project in a world , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences
- Aharon Ariel Lavi, Acquiring through Letting Go the Bikkurim Commandment and the Foundations of Private Property , International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): International Journal of Civilizations Studies & Tolerance Sciences