Comparing and contrasting intra- and inter-cultural relations and perceptions among mainstream and minority students in multicultural classrooms in higher education

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study was set against the backdrop of a common worldwide phenomenon of internationalisation and multiculturality on campuses, the prevalence of cross-cultural communication in the epoch of globalisation, and a paucity of studies investigating both mainstream and minority students’ intra- and cross-cultural interaction and attitudes. As the first step towards maximising students’ benefits reaped from intercultural interaction, this article reports on the quantitative findings of intra- and inter-cultural relations as well as perceptions among both mainstream and minority tertiary-level students (n = 155) in Hong Kong. From the survey results, various within- and between-group comparisons were made. Significant findings include the substantial differences in how mainstream students relate and view themselves vis-à-vis the minority group, and the general greater open-mindedness and acceptance of the minority group compared with the mainstream group. This article culminates with implications for cultivating positive cross-cultural relations in international classrooms, which are especially pertinent for the mainstream students.