International Students on U.S. College Campuses: Building Up or Tearing Down Cultural Walls?

Abstract

This study uses qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the intercultural sensitivity (IS) of international students at an American university -- specifically, whether international students' IS improved over the course of a semester on campus. The findings indicate that the participants did not, on average, achieve progress in their levels of IS as measured by the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) during the semester they were surveyed. Per qualitative interviews, the students came to the U.S. full of curiosity, ready to explore the country and make friends. However, they were disappointed to find “intangible walls” separating them from their American classmates. The students felt isolated and disconnected from the domestic student body and described their struggle to connect with American students. Lacking opportunities to engage in deep personal conversations with peers from different backgrounds and cultures, the international students, on average, did not improve their levels of IS and described an unsatisfying experience studying on an American college campus.