University students' intercultural sensitivity emergence using a DMIS-oriented intercultural seminar with an intercultural development support website (EPSS approach)

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] There is increasing demand among industries for graduates with intercultural competency. There is an obvious need for a training program that would support students' intercultural development. It is not likely that all university students will be able to afford to participate in study abroad programs to gain such development. Given the fact that a university's community is an environment that by nature is diverse, universities need to do more to help students benefit from these opportunities. This comparative study explored the experiences, perceptions, and changes in the intercultural sensitivity levels for individuals in a DMIS-oriented intercultural seminar delivered through Blackboard or through EPSS supports. The comparative case study approach allowed contextual analysis of the entire seminar and supports, and used qualitative data to explain the impact of the seminar and perceptions of change for the students by the completion of the seminar. The findings in this study supported this premise, since most of the student participants showed improvement in their intercultural sensitivity level after participating in the DMIS-oriented seminar. The findings provided evidence that a DMIS-oriented EPSS has the potential to assist students in learning about the developmental model, giving them a new lens to view the world and to help them benefit from the existing opportunities available in their intercultural learning landscapes (i.e., their universities' diverse environments and resources).