Analyzing Contrasts Between US and German Students: Intercultural Competence
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Background: Intercultural competence is the idea of being able to communicate and interact with various groups and backgrounds of people and having the ability to understand and respect their culture and values.
Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the perspectives of American and German students on intercultural interaction and communication.
Methods: There were 15 students interviewed, 9 from Kennesaw State University and 6 from different universities throughout Germany. Questions focused on education, language, stereotypes, and customs were developed by a group of Kennesaw State University students. Each interview took an hour, with 15 minutes in each section (human rights, sustainability, and intercultural competence). We are focused on the intercultural competence responses for this study. The U.S. students were interviewed virtually on Microsoft Teams, and the German students were interviewed in person.
Results: In the research study, it was found that German students provided significantly more detailed and thorough responses than their American counterparts. While both groups emphasized the importance of understanding and respecting other cultures, the German students demonstrated a greater interest in getting to know about different cultures in depth, while the American students focused more on the appreciation of cultural differences. Both the U.S. and Germany are making strides toward positive reinforcement of cultural diversity. However, the participants indicated that in the U.S., more students are expected to formally learn about different cultures, while in Germany, many students primarily gain cultural knowledge through personal experiences. Despite these differences, both cultures are open to meeting new people and embracing diverse perspectives.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
Other
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Amy Buddie
Analyzing Contrasts Between US and German Students: Intercultural Competence
Background: Intercultural competence is the idea of being able to communicate and interact with various groups and backgrounds of people and having the ability to understand and respect their culture and values.
Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the perspectives of American and German students on intercultural interaction and communication.
Methods: There were 15 students interviewed, 9 from Kennesaw State University and 6 from different universities throughout Germany. Questions focused on education, language, stereotypes, and customs were developed by a group of Kennesaw State University students. Each interview took an hour, with 15 minutes in each section (human rights, sustainability, and intercultural competence). We are focused on the intercultural competence responses for this study. The U.S. students were interviewed virtually on Microsoft Teams, and the German students were interviewed in person.
Results: In the research study, it was found that German students provided significantly more detailed and thorough responses than their American counterparts. While both groups emphasized the importance of understanding and respecting other cultures, the German students demonstrated a greater interest in getting to know about different cultures in depth, while the American students focused more on the appreciation of cultural differences. Both the U.S. and Germany are making strides toward positive reinforcement of cultural diversity. However, the participants indicated that in the U.S., more students are expected to formally learn about different cultures, while in Germany, many students primarily gain cultural knowledge through personal experiences. Despite these differences, both cultures are open to meeting new people and embracing diverse perspectives.