Intercultural Communication: International/Local UCT Student Dynamics

The purpose of this study is to explore intercultural communication and the dynamics between international and local students in the context of the University of Cape Town. The main themes investigated relate to the topics of higher education and globalisation, intercultural communication, perspective transformation, social identity and student sojourning. Interviews were held with international students and semester study abroad students in order to obtain the necessary data required to successfully complete the project. The research aims to determine the way in which the perspectives of international and semester study abroad students have transformed as a result of intercultural communication while on cultural exchange. It also aims to understand the impact international study has had on these international students and to determine what this could signify in terms of both international and intercultural perspectives within an increasingly globalised reality.