Cross cultural interactions of international students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the cross cultural interactions of international students in college, and how those cross cultural interactions affect them as students. Specifically, this study focused on the ways in which international students interacted with cultures different than their own; their expectations of cultural interactions prior to attending college, and how cross cultural interactions at college impacted them as students. This study was exploratory in nature and sought to gather qualitative and quantitative information through group interviews, written narratives and an initial study survey. The study was conducted on the campus of a Midwestern, medium-sized institution. Research participants were international students that had been enrolled at the institution for more than one semester. Results from the study indicated that cross cultural interactions of international students occur often, and are often surprising to the individual. Cross cultural interactions affected students academically, socially and psychologically.