Perception, communication, understanding: New Zealand (tertiary) students' intercultural communication experiences with international students in the classroom.

The number of international students in educational institutions in New Zealand has increased rapidly, but little is known about how New Zealand students perceive their intercultural communication experiences with this group. This study investigates New Zealand university students' perceptions of, and interactions with, international students in the classroom. Twenty students (including first and third year undergraduates, and graduate students) were interviewed. The findings indicated that New Zealand students perceived benefits such as learning new perspectives, developing and improving their understanding of other cultures, and building future networks. While graduates experienced enhanced programmes and curricula, increased intercultural skills and exposure to different cultures and perspectives, these benefits were less transparent among the undergraduates, where cultural differences were less understood and accepted and intercultural group work was hindered by perceptions of weak language skills. Two key recommendations emerging from the study focused on the need to share the value of intercultural interaction and to maintain a high level of quality within the institution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]