How do Mobility Programs Increase Foreign University Students' Intercultural Awareness?
International Conference on Teaching and Learning English as an Additional Language (GlobELT), Antalya, Turkey, 14 - 17 April 2016, vol.232, pp.569-574, (Full Text)
- Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
- Volume: 232
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.10.078
- City: Antalya
- Country: Turkey
- Page Numbers: pp.569-574
- Keywords: Language Awareness, Cultural Awareness, Language Learning
- Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Nowadays cross-cultural studies have been popular in language learning field. Mobility programs such as Erasmus and Mevlana generally change students' points of view positively. During these mobility programs students improve both their linguistic and cultural competences. Cultural differences increase students' tolerance and broaden their perception. Being abroad makes students more mature and open-minded. Recent studies have explained that students can improve their intercultural awareness by means of exchange programs. The main purpose of this research is to examine foreign students' perspectives on mobility programs. This research is a qualitative study which contains a structured interview with 14 foreign students who joined Mevlana and Erasmus programs at Akdeniz University. In order to analyze foreign students' ideas, 5 questions were prepared for them. Structured questions were examined by 2 experts in the field of language learning. The foreign students stated that staying abroad helped them understand different cultures and values and added that they became friendlier, problem-solver and communicative after having participated these programs. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published Elsevier Ltd.