Intercultural Course Learning Satisfactions affect on Acculturation Attitudes

Abstract

While there are many reports on international students struggling to adapt overseas while on study abroad programmes, there is little information that considers whether intercultural course learning satisfaction affects acculturation attitudes which can impact adaptation into the dominant culture. The research aims to provide both theoretical information and practical insight into intercultural influences to intercultural course learning satisfaction and the development of acculturation attitudes that in turn can impact course learning performance. Using a qualitative phenomenological research approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted on Erasmus Mundus students in the social science disciplines from two Finnish universities in separate regions. The results of the study suggest that students tended to generate new support expectations following challenging encounters which led to dissatisfaction in their course experience and orientation into the region. These experiences were shown to influence stereotyping and superficial judgements of individuals and organisational factors relevant to everyday living and studying, influencing intercultural relationships important for psychological well-being that impacts intercultural course learning satisfaction and the local settling process. A further finding suggests that the motivation to actively apply acculturation strategies was generally neglected for several reasons including a perceived lack of need, future plans, and time and effort considerations relative to study demands. These findings present impeding characteristics to the integrated acculturation attitudes of international students which are thought to influence satisfaction and performance levels. The study considers that a culturally synergised constructive alignment teaching strategy inclusive of non-essentialist intercultural curriculum content is warranted for future multicultural classes.

Keywords: Acculturation, Intercultural Competency, Internationalisation, Course Learning Satisfaction, Synergy