Abstract:

The purpose of the study was to determine the characteristics and other factors that Daystar University National and International Students exhibit during their interactions and which are likely to affect the quality of their interactions. Further, it sought to classify these characteristics according to the levels of intercultural communication, describe the process they use to restore relationships when misunderstanding occurs, and to suggest an intercultural communication model that would help both national and international students to communicate effectively. Qualitative research approach was used as method of data collection: Focus Group Discussions and In-Depth Interview sessions were organized. The study found that intercultural interactions in Daystar University Students were not as healthy as they should be because some were characterized by factors that are not conducive to fruitful interactions. On the one hand, among other characteristics, national students tend to be individualistic, not caring, assertive, and aggressive. On the other hand, International Students tend to cluster in groups according to their countries of origins and or regions and have a tendency to withdraw whenever misunderstanding occurs. Age, gender, money and environment were the other factors that impact negatively the quality of interactions between the two categories of students. In relation to these findings, the researcher posited that improvement of human interactions between National and International Students and other members of the University is possible if: 1) Students could be helped to meet regularly and share their communication experiences, 2) The current orientation training program could be completely revisited in both content and procedures of execution, 3) An intercultural communication forum could be organized each semester for everybody in the University so that difficulties encountered could be shared and discussed in a way that leads to mutual understanding not only between students but also between students and other members of Daystar University as a community, and 4) Intercultural communication video programmes, seminars and conferences based on intercultural communication case studies could be organized in the University.

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