How do Mobility Programs Increase Foreign University Students⿿ Intercultural Awareness?

Abstract

Abstract Nowadays cross-cultural studies have been popular in language learning field. Mobility programs such as Erasmus and Mevlana generally change students⿿ points of view positively. During these mobility programs students improve both their linguistic and cultural competences. Cultural differences increase students⿿ tolerance and broaden their perception. Being abroad makes students more mature and open-minded. Recent studies have explained that students can improve their intercultural awareness by means of exchange programs. The main purpose of this research is to examine foreign students⿿ perspectives on mobility programs. This research is a qualitative study which contains a structured interview with 14 foreign students who joined Mevlana and Erasmus programs at Akdeniz University. In order to analyze foreign students⿿ ideas, 5 questions were prepared for them. Structured questions were examined by 2 experts in the field of language learning. The foreign students stated that staying abroad helped them understand different cultures and values and added that they became friendlier, problem- solver and communicative after having participated these programs.