The Importance of Intercultural Competence in Higher Education and its Impact on Professional Life

Table of Contents

• Foreword
• Abstract
• Table of Figures
• List of Tables
• List of Abbreviations
• 1. Introduction
• 2. Thesis Insights
• 3. Globalization and its Effect
• 3.1 Globalization - a Term and its Definitions
• 3.2 Economic Globalization
• 3.3 Globalization within Cultural Contexts
• 4. Globalization in the Context of Higher Education in Germany
• 5. Intercultural Competence – a Basic Qualification in a Globalized World
• 5.1 Understanding the Concept of Culture
• 5.2 Interculturality vs. Multiculturality
• 5.3 Getting to know the Field of Intercultural Competence
• 5.3.1 Creating Cultural Synergies - Developing Intercultural Competence
• 5.3.1.1 Fostering Intercultural Competence through Cultural Awareness
• 5.4 Intercultural Competence in Higher Education
• 6. Empirical Research
• 6.1 Aim of the Research and Research Approach
• 6.2 Research Design
• 6.3 Site Selection
• 6.4 Sample and Procedure
• 6.5 Analysis and Findings
• 6.5.1 Qualitative Content Analysis
• 6.5.1.1 Results of the Qualitative Content Analysis
• 6.5.2 Quantitative Survey Analysis
• 6.5.2.1 Results of the Quantitative Survey Analysis
• 6.5.3 Résumé
• 8. Reflection and Conclusion

Objectives and Key Themes

This thesis investigates the importance of intercultural competence in higher education, specifically focusing on its impact on professional life. By exploring the growing international interconnectedness and the increasing diversity in study and working environments, the thesis aims to understand how intercultural competence facilitates navigating the challenges of a multicultural society.

• The role of higher education institutions in fostering intercultural competence.
• The impact of globalization on cultural contexts and higher education.
• The importance of cultural awareness and the development of intercultural competence.
• The challenges and opportunities of intercultural cooperation in professional settings.
• The theoretical and practical applications of intercultural competence in higher education and professional life.

Chapter Summaries

• Chapter 1: Introduction introduces the topic of intercultural competence in higher education and its relevance in a globalized world. The chapter outlines the significance of the research and provides a brief overview of the structure of the thesis.
• Chapter 2: Thesis Insights presents the author's personal perspective on intercultural competence, drawing upon their experiences as a migrant child and current student in higher education.
• Chapter 3: Globalization and its Effect explores the concept of globalization and its impact on various cultural contexts, including economic aspects and the changing nature of intercultural interactions.
• Chapter 4: Globalization in the Context of Higher Education in Germany examines the specific influence of globalization on the higher education landscape in Germany.
• Chapter 5: Intercultural Competence – a Basic Qualification in a Globalized World delves into the definition and understanding of culture, comparing interculturality and multiculturality. It explores various aspects of intercultural competence, including the development of cultural synergies, the importance of cultural awareness, and the role of higher education institutions in fostering intercultural competence.
• Chapter 6: Empirical Research presents the methodology and findings of the empirical research conducted for this thesis. This chapter discusses the research design, sample selection, data analysis methods, and the results obtained from both qualitative and quantitative analyses.

Keywords

The key keywords and focus topics of this thesis include intercultural competence, higher education, globalization, cultural awareness, cultural diversity, multicultural society, professional life, challenges of intercultural cooperation, and development of intercultural competence.