Exploring and Assessing Intercultural Competence - Center for ...
Exploring and Assessing Intercultural Competence - Center for ...
Exploring and Assessing Intercultural Competence - Center for ...
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<strong>Exploring</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Assessing</strong> <strong>Intercultural</strong> <strong>Competence</strong><br />
- all 3 spoke other languages: French (2), English (2), Spanish (2)<br />
- 1 male / 2 females<br />
- educational levels ranged from high school to a masters degree<br />
- 2 indicated a prior intercultural experience / 1 gave no response<br />
- all 3 had a positive experience<br />
- 1 plans to continue language study (Spanish) upon return home<br />
- all 3 developed new intercultural relationships<br />
Volunteers were engaged in several different service projects that included:<br />
- Aliñambi, an organization working with people living in the jungle<br />
- Albergue la Dolorosa, a shelter <strong>for</strong> low income kids not able to live with their parents<br />
- Escuela Nuestra Señora de la Paz, a nursery home <strong>for</strong> <strong>for</strong> low income kids<br />
- Centro Infantil Miquelito, a nursury home <strong>for</strong> low income kids<br />
C. Assertions<br />
Assertion No. 1<br />
ICC is a complex of abilities<br />
Discussion<br />
The 15 attributes cited in the survey <strong>for</strong>ms (cf. Part II) were based on 138 selected publications<br />
addressing intercultural competence (under various related names). These attributes all proved<br />
relevant <strong>and</strong> appropriate to the respondents’ IC experiences based on their responses <strong>and</strong><br />
comments. They left no item blank nor did they discard or otherwise judge any item as irrelevant.<br />
The attributes included: tolerance, flexibility, patience, sense of humor, appreciate differences,<br />
suspending judgment, adaptability, curiosity, open-minded, motivated, self-reliant, empathy, clear<br />
sense of self, perceptive, <strong>and</strong> tolerance of ambiguity.<br />
To gain some indication of growth <strong>and</strong> development among the 5 volunteers with regards to these<br />
attributes, their ratings were contrasted at the beginning <strong>and</strong> end of their sojourn (cf. Part II.<br />
Personal Characteristics). Responses were limited in number, however, <strong>and</strong> are based on only 3<br />
respondents at the beginning <strong>and</strong> 5 at the end of the program (numbers be<strong>for</strong>e the slash are<br />
beginning indicators / numbers after the slash are end indicators):<br />
(Perception of Self in Own Culture) 0 1 2 3 4 5<br />
1. intolerant 1/4 2/1<br />
2. flexible /1 2/2 1/2<br />
3. patient /1 /1 3/2 /1<br />
4. lacks sense of humour 2/3 /2 1<br />
5. tolerates differences /1 1/1 2/3<br />
6. suspends judgment 3/5<br />
<strong>Center</strong> <strong>for</strong> Social Development<br />
Washington University in St. Louis<br />
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