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

Abstract

This paper examines the intercultural interaction experiences of local, first-year students (n = 25) in their first few weeks at university. The focus on local students complements existing intercultural interaction literature, which has tended to concentrate on the experience of the ‘cultural other’ student. Employing qualitative analysis, the study revealed relationships between how students conceptualise culture, see diversity and experience their initial intercultural interactions on campus. A link between students' cultural backgrounds and the depth of their intercultural interaction experiences emerged.