Academics’ perceptions of intercultural competence and professional development after international mobility

Abstract

This study examines academics’ perceptions of their intercultural competence after an international exchange period and the influence of academic international mobility on their professional development. The data was collected via an online survey (N = 59) and in-depth interviews (N = 15) from academic university staff in the field of engineering who had recently participated in an international mobility period. The findings produced a positive picture of academics’ international work periods. The data from the self-evaluation indicated that international mobility augments professional proficiency in many ways, including the development of core subject-related competence (e.g., methodological skills) and problem-solving skills, professional self-awareness, as well as the capacity to apply external funding, produce shared publications, and create an international network. Furthermore, in relation to the model of Cultural Intelligence and its four dimensions, Metacognitive, Cognitive, Motivational, and Behavioral, the findings indicated that all the knowledge and skills developed during the exchange period were closely related with the generic working life skills suggested in the competence literature.