Investigating the impact of personality and early life experiences on intercultural interaction in internationalised universities

Local university students and intercultural interactions: conceptualising culture, seeing diversity and experiencing interactions

“…This research found that intercultural interaction experiences varied according to a student's bicultural background. The greater incidence of deep intercultural experiences reported in this research by bicultural-non-Western students resonates with other findings linking students' intercultural interaction attitudes and experiences to previous cultural exposure (Harrison, 2012;Volet, 1999;Summers & Volet, 2008), as well as Bennett's DMIS theory that notes individuals exposed to bi-or multi-cultural socialisation have access to enhanced resources and perspectives that can influence the complexity of their construal and experiences of intercultural events (1993).…”

“…Volet's (1999) early research conducted on a university campus in Australia, found Australian students from a bicultural heritage were more positive about intercultural mixing than monocultural Australians, a finding replicated in her later work (Summers & Volet, 2008). Montgomery (2009), in a qualitative analysis of group work experiences involving local and international students, found local students with previous international experience were more open to other cultures than other local students, while Harrison (2012) found strong positive relationships between a local student's multicultural upbringing, foreign language ability and their cultural intelligence. It is important to note that these patterns are not universal, and that students without previous multicultural experiences can also positively engage in intercultural interactions (Harrison, 2012).…”

“…Montgomery (2009), in a qualitative analysis of group work experiences involving local and international students, found local students with previous international experience were more open to other cultures than other local students, while Harrison (2012) found strong positive relationships between a local student's multicultural upbringing, foreign language ability and their cultural intelligence. It is important to note that these patterns are not universal, and that students without previous multicultural experiences can also positively engage in intercultural interactions (Harrison, 2012). Concomitantly, Volet's (1999) early study had revealed that local students born in Singapore and Malaysia (that is Australian permanent residents born in Singapore and Malaysia) were, as a cohort, more positive about intercultural mixing than international students (that is students studying in Australia on a student visa) born in the same countries, highlighting that positive intercultural attitudes are not simply linked to cultural background.…”

“…However, research indicates that meaningful interactions between students from different cultural backgrounds are limited. Of particular concern is the paucity of intercultural interactions involving local students (Dunne, 2009;Harrison, 2012). While some research suggests that international students are engaging in intercultural interactions (Montgomery & McDowell, 2009), this typically involves other international students.…”

Investigating the Relationship Between Big Five Personality Traits and Cultural Intelligence on Football Coaches

“…A study conducted by Harrison (2011 ) " Investigating the impact of personality and early life experiences on intercultural interaction in internationalized universities "revealed that both ethnocentrism and cultural intelligence were predicted by agreeableness and openness, as well as a multicultural upbringing, foreign language ability and an international orientation. Gender was also a predictor for ethnocentrism.…”