The impact of critical incidents on cultural adaptation during student exchange programs

Kader Mohideen Tariq Mohamed Uthuman

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This master thesis is focused on analysis of critical incidents of incoming students on Erasmus program to Skoda Auto University. The purpose of this work is to recommend proposals to international office to enhance the adaptation process for the foreign students. The theoretical part defines terms of culture - diversity, intercultural communication & competence and culture theories like Lewis model and Hofstede cultural dimensions. The critical incidents were collected from the students with the help of CIT technique. In the practical part, it is discussed how the data collection was performed using response forms, personal interviews and online survey; the collected data is then analyzed for common patterns in them. Based on the observed patterns the responses were categorized under major clusters like language barrier, race and religious differences, safety issues, etc. Recommendations are made to international office to improve the current module of adaptation process to further enhance them so the students visiting Skoda Auto University for the purpose of study in the future would have a pleasant experience during their stay in Czech Republic.

Abstract:

This master thesis is focused on analysis of critical incidents of incoming students on Erasmus program to Skoda Auto University. The purpose of this work is to recommend proposals to international office to enhance the adaptation process for the foreign students. The theoretical part defines terms of culture - diversity, intercultural communication & competence and culture theories like Lewis model and Hofstede cultural dimensions. The critical incidents were collected from the students with the help of CIT technique. In the practical part, it is discussed how the data collection was performed using response forms, personal interviews and online survey; the collected data is then analyzed for common patterns in them. Based on the observed patterns the responses were categorized under major clusters like language barrier, race and religious differences, safety issues, etc. Recommendations are made to international office to improve the current module of adaptation process to further enhance them so the students visiting Skoda Auto University for the purpose of study in the future would have a pleasant experience during their stay in Czech Republic.

Keywords

Culture Shock, Student Exchange Program, Critical Incidents

Keywords

Critical Incidents, Culture Shock, Cultural Adaptation, Student Exchange Program

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 21. 5. 2019

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Mgr. Dagmar Sieglová, M.S.Ed. Ph.D.
• Reader: Pavel Štrach, Ph.D. Ph.D.

ŠKODA AUTO a.s.

ŠKODA AUTO VYSOKÁ ŠKOLA o.p.s.

Master programme / field:
Economics and Management / Marketing Management in the Global Environment