Abstract
Intercultural communication is a growing interest in the realm of global communication science and students pursuing degrees across the borders of nation-states. Nevertheless, the practice of intercultural communication does not always go effectively. This paper addresses problematics of intercultural communication occurred between Indonesian and South Korean students in Kyungsung University, Busan, largely nuanced by prejudice, stereotypes, ethnocentrism as well as values differences about social drinking culture, friendship, beauty, seniority, and perception on punctuality, which consequently trigger misunderstanding that leads to conflict. The goals of this study are twofold, namely, first, to gain deeper understanding on sources of intercultural communication conflict between Indonesian and South Korean students, secondly, to highlight the role of cultural competence to overcome conflict. The method of the research is case study with in-depth interview as the information gathering technique. The result will show that problems in intercultural communication are to a greater extent influenced by two inter-related attitudes which is cultural insensitivity and lack of cultural competence such as respect, socio linguistic awareness, deep cultural knowledge, and skills to listen and observe. The paper will also point to problem-solving alternative to reduce intercultural communication conflict both for Indonesian and South Korean students, namely to develop a more subtle approach when encountering religious-held beliefs with socially accepted norms. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n6p213
Highlights
It is believed that intercultural communication is a complex process because when some individuals involved in a cultural communication, each participant operates within sets of distinctive rules
Intercultural communication conflict may be caused by certain stereotypes, prejudices, ethnocentrism and inappropriate verbal or non verbal behavior when establishing communication with people from different cultures
They have a basic understanding of Korean Language The Author of this study uses information gathering technique through in-depth interview.The interview itself was carried out by the author in Focus Group Discussion (FGD) setting, comprising of seven students, located in Busan, South Korea
Summary
The growth of intercultural communication in the realm of education is indisputable due to the increasing numbers of opportunities for students to continue their studies abroad. Those distinctive patterns, either verbal or nonverbal, may be accountable for different sets of meanings, which eventually end up in strained relationship Intercultural communication problems, such as individual and social conflicts, identity crisis, culture shock and inferiority complex attitude, may imply to several aspects in the lives of Indonesian students who pursue their degrees in South Korea. It is emphasized that “intercultural competence is the appropriate and effective management of interaction between people who, to some degree or another, represent different or divergent affective, cognitive, and behavioral orientations to the world. These orientations will most commonly be reflected in such normative categories as nationality, race, ethnicity, tribe, religion, or region” Some Indonesian students are discouraged to continue their studies further or working in South Korea because of their inability to cope with Korean culture
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