An Exploration of the Influence of Internationalization on Students' Intercultural Competence in the Liverpool Business School

Abstract

As globalization transforms higher education, universities now emphasize developing students' intercultural competence. This research explores how internationalization practices at Liverpool John Moores University contribute to this goal. The study aims to understand students' experiences with internationalization initiatives, how these practices build intercultural skills, and the associated benefits. Semi-structured interviews were used to investigate the perspectives of six master's students who were enrolled on an International Business and Management program. Key findings reveal that collaborative projects, immersive cultural events, and social interactions with international peers confronted biases and expanded worldviews. However, students faced language and communication barriers and work style differences that necessitated resilience. Nonetheless, intercultural engagement enhanced open-mindedness, teamwork abilities, and global perspectives. Students recommended more inclusive programming and experiential learning to further intercultural competency development. Overall, purposeful internationalization activities led to transformative learning, preparing graduates to navigate diversity in global business. However, maintaining gains requires continually evolving practices tailored to learners' needs. This study delivers focused insights to help LJMU's objective of generating interculturally competent graduates who are prepared to succeed in an interconnected world.