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Intercultural competence development

From awareness of the difference between multicultural and intercultural to issues of transcultural and cross-cultural, intercultural competence refers more specifically to the nature of our international interactions.
How do we interpret difference in expectations, attitudes, or behaviour when there are agreed-upon norms that vary from country to country? How do we adapt our expectations or behaviours in interaction with the unexpected? 
Whether welcoming international students or travelling abroad, learning how to understand what constitutes “culture” without falling into stereotyping while developing mutual understanding and respect is an important step towards internationalising our campus.

Students, administrative staff and academic staff all have a role to play. In today’s digital age, which both requires and allows us to solve global problems together, the necessary intercultural understanding is a result of building knowledge and trust through interaction.