Developing Intercultural Competence in Higher Education

"A beautiful book with real stories analyzed from the lens of intercultural competence. It brings together an array of perspectives and reflections using first-person narratives to enable readers to immerse themselves in the thought-provoking stories. A must-read for all who wish to truly understand international student experiences."

-- Xin Zhao, University Teacher and Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy, University of Sheffield, UK

"Reading the personal narratives and analyses in this book touches deeply into that corner in the heart, where it contains mixed emotions when studying abroad, the pain, hurt, blue, entangled with inspiration, excitement, and cross-cultural friendship. In this sense, this book was great in revealing the messages to a world that calls for equality and respect."

--Yibo Yang, Senior Lecturer, Harbin Institute of Technology, China

"This is a much-needed contribution to the field of intercultural competence among international students. What makes this book even more significant is the innovative Story Circle methodology."

--Kamil Luczaj, Assistant Professor at the UITM Rzeszow, Poland

"Books told through lived stories are most effective means to educate and influence people. This book helps you sort through your volumes of emotions and reactions with the narratives and dialectical dimensions of cultural navigation."

--Jing Luan, Provost, San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley (Cañada, CSM & Skyline)

"This book is a must-read for international students either planning to travel abroad or wanting to know more about cultural differences and stereotypes among others. What this book offers is very unique and the salient information captured cannot be found anywhere else. I highly recommend this book for every international student."

--Linda Tsevi, Senior Lecturer, College of Education, University of Ghana

"This compelling book is a collection of international students’ thoughts, ideas, and critical insights from several perspectives. The openness of fifty shades of personal narratives deconstructs stereotypes, bias, and cultural difference. The book draws on theoretical frameworks that intersect identities and cultural experiences. An insightful and valuable addition to the growing area of developing intercultural competence."

--Dawn Joseph, Associate Professor, Deakin University, Australia

"Whether you are interested in student mobility as a practitioner or an academic, this book is a pleasure to read. Full of stories about clashing cultural differences, stereotypes and mutual understanding, the volume covers an important dimension of international student mobility."

--Miloslav Bahna, Senior Researcher, Institute for Sociology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia

"I cannot recommend enough the methodology and the approach of foregrounding lived experiences of international people taken in this book. Reading the stories presented in the book and the editors’ commentaries is essential for anyone wishing to deepen, in genuine ways, their understanding of the theoretical and practical nuances surrounding intercultural competence."

--Aneta Hayes, Senior Lecturer in Education, Keele University, UK