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How Do Students Develop Intercultural Competence During International Mobility?

Author

Listed:
  • Anne Bartel-Radic

    (CERAG - Centre d'études et de recherches appliquées à la gestion - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes, IEPG - Sciences Po Grenoble-UGA - Institut d'études politiques de Grenoble - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes)

  • Alain Cucchi

    (CEMOI - Centre d'Économie et de Management de l'Océan Indien - UR - Université de La Réunion)

Abstract

Developing students' intercultural competence is a key objective of international mobility programs in higher education. While it is widely accepted that studying abroad enhances students' competencies, little is known about the specific conditions and contexts that promote the development of intercultural competence during these experiences. This study draws on survey data from 499 students across five cohorts from a French higher education institution between 2017 and 2021. The analysis includes three distinct measures of intercultural competence and learning, along with a wide range of variables related to the mobility context, processes, personality traits and students' previous international experiences. The data were analyzed using an exploratory partial least squares structural equations model (PLS-SEM). The findings suggest that personality traits such as empathy, attributional complexity, and metacognition, positively influence the development of intercultural competence during international mobility. Additionally, encountering difficulties or conflicts positively impacts intercultural competence when students successfully manage to cope with them and overcome negative emotions. Furthermore, perceived learning from the international experience plays a central and mediating role in explaining both intercultural knowledge and ethnorelativism.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Bartel-Radic & Alain Cucchi, 2025. "How Do Students Develop Intercultural Competence During International Mobility?," Post-Print hal-04851689, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04851689
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijintrel.2024.102132
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-04851689v2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bartel-Radic, Anne & Giannelloni, Jean-Luc, 2017. "A renewed perspective on the measurement of cross-cultural competence: An approach through personality traits and cross-cultural knowledge," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 632-644.
    2. Anne Bartel-Radic & Jean-Luc Giannelloni, 2017. "A renewed perspective on the measurement of cross-cultural competence: An approach through personality traits and cross-cultural knowledge," Post-Print hal-01975656, HAL.
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    4. Ang, Soon & Van Dyne, Linn & Koh, Christine & Ng, K. Yee & Templer, Klaus J. & Tay, Cheryl & Chandrasekar, N. Anand, 2007. "Cultural Intelligence: Its Measurement and Effects on Cultural Judgment and Decision Making, Cultural Adaptation and Task Performance," Management and Organization Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 3(3), pages 335-371, November.
    5. Soon Ang & Linn Van Dyne & Christine Koh & K. Yee Ng & Klaus J. Templer & Cheryl Tay & N. Anand Chandrasekar, 2007. "Cultural Intelligence: Its Measurement and Effects on Cultural Judgment and Decision Making, Cultural Adaptation and Task Performance," Management and Organization Review, The International Association for Chinese Management Research, vol. 3(3), pages 335-371, November.
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    Keywords

    Intercultural competence; international experience; learning; PLS-SEM; student mobility;
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