Student Outcome of Internationalization: Exploring Extracultural Learning

• In Event: Internationalization of Education Reform

Abstract

Competences developed by multi-national higher education students during their intercultural experience remain poorly defined. For instance, proponents of intercultural competence disagree as to its specific components, and its critics advocate for either a more inclusive or a non-western pedagogy. Yet, growing numbers of mobile students study outside their cultural context. Using in-depth semi-structured interview, a recent study sought to understand perceptions of masters-level Chinese students on how they develop critical during their one-year programme at a UK university. Findings suggest that the participants value their effective functioning in cultural and educational environments in both their host and home contexts. Drawing on other related studies, it is proposed that extracultural learning can occur when students study in a different cultural context.

Author

• OMOLABAKE FAKUNLE, University of Edinburgh