English abstract
Abstract
EFFECT OF STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS ON PARTICIPANTS'
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE The present study investigates SQU students' intercultural development during a seven week abroad experience. The population of the study consisted entirely of Sultan Qaboos University students who joined the study abroad program in the academic year 2009/2010. The sample was twenty one students who accepted voluntarily to participate in this research, but only sixteen responses were considered for statistical reasons. A moodle supported e-learning component was designed for the research in which the instruments were administered. Three instruments were used to collect data for answering the questions of the study. First, online questionnaires were administered pre- and post program. Second, online interviews were also administered pre- and post-program. The program participants were asked to write their journals and participate in nine forums on Moodle. Data was analyzed quantitatively by using SPSS and qualitatively by forming themes from the available data. The major findings of the study are as follows: А Both qualitative and quantitative data demonstrated that participants are at the acceptance stage (ethnorelativisim) according to Bennett's model (DMIS). Although there was a slight difference in the mean values in favor of the post program survey, this difference was not statistically significant. ► There was no statistically significant difference between males' level and females" level of intercultural communicative competence. > Being immersed in a multicultural country helped participants to understand and be proud of their own cultural values and beliefs. However, one of the obstacles participants pointed out is the insufficient knowledge they have about their own culture. Living and studying in a multicultural environment widened participants' ways of thinking and assisted them in looking positively at all cultures. They admired many aspects of the host culture, > The SQU study abroad program has positively influenced participants' sonalities. They gained knowledge, confidence, independence, respect for time and management, and decision making skills. The findings of the current study stimulate further research in the field of intercultural communicative competence. They also lead to a number of recommendations that should be considered by The Ministry of Higher Education and other institutions that organize study abroad programs.
