Exploring and Assessing Intercultural Competence - Center for ...

- appreciate differences (2)
- suspending judgment
- adaptability (3)
- curiosity (1)
- open-minded (1)
- motivated (1)
- self-reliant
- empathy (1)
- clear sense of self
- perceptive
- tolerance of ambiguity
They also cited several additional qualities they considered important:
- respect (1)
- reflective (1)
- problem solving (1)
- host language / communication (4)
- attitude (1)
- creativity (1)
- relationships (2)
- knowledge of local culture (1)
Summary
Exploring and Assessing Intercultural Competence
By completing all items in Part II of the survey form and leaving no item blank, mentors
acknowledged all 15 attributes. In open-ended interviews, they spontaneously confirmed 7 of
them without prompts and they identified 8 additional qualities not on the original list. Among
this last group, all 4 cited host language / communication as important to IC success.
Assertion No. 2: Learning the host language affects ICC development
(About learning the host language)
Discussion
Spontaneous comments made by mentors concerning the role of language and communication
were:
(FEMS1+I)
- “It is important that volunteers learn Spanish since it makes them more self-confident and helps
them communicate in a better way. Working in this environment allows them to learn the
language on a deeper level. For mentors, it is very important that the volunteers learn Spanish
because with this knowledge they can exchange ideas with each other and this makes their
experience richer.”
(FEMS3+I)
- “Volunteers tend to communicate in many different ways when they aren’t able to express
something. When it comes to the working with kids, (language) is fundamental since kids tend to
be very curious and volunteers have to find a way to communicate with them.”
Center for Social Development
Washington University in St. Louis
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