The Impact of International Student Mobility on Multicultural Competence and Career Development: The Case of Students from Latin America and the Caribbean in Barcelona

Every year, an increasing number of students decide to study abroad in non-English-speaking countries, and Spain is recently a very popular destination within Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) communities. This paper attempts to deepen our knowledge of the impact of international student mobility (...

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Main Authors: Robert G. Valls-Figuera, Mercedes Torrado-Fonseca, Judith Borràs
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-08-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/9/869
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author Robert G. Valls-Figuera
Mercedes Torrado-Fonseca
Judith Borràs
author_facet Robert G. Valls-Figuera
Mercedes Torrado-Fonseca
Judith Borràs
author_sort Robert G. Valls-Figuera
collection DOAJ
description Every year, an increasing number of students decide to study abroad in non-English-speaking countries, and Spain is recently a very popular destination within Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) communities. This paper attempts to deepen our knowledge of the impact of international student mobility (ISM) on students’ multicultural identity and career development. To do so, the experiences of 10 LAC students who completed a one-year degree programme in Barcelona are examined. Semi-structured interviews were employed to evaluate the international experiences one year after their completion. During their post-mobility interviews, participants were able to reflect on the ISM through a structured dialogue that allowed them to analyse the experience from a distance. Findings indicate that the ISM helped them to grow personally and professionally and, one year after the stay, they are aware of this evolution. They show an increase in their self-confidence, and they see the experience as an opportunity for personal maturity. This suggests that universities should consider the importance of offering guidance to these students when they end their master’s degree and are considering their plans for the future.
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spelling doaj.art-a0f52a4eb02549f28cddce15ea7665da2023-11-19T10:18:46ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022023-08-0113986910.3390/educsci13090869The Impact of International Student Mobility on Multicultural Competence and Career Development: The Case of Students from Latin America and the Caribbean in BarcelonaRobert G. Valls-Figuera0Mercedes Torrado-Fonseca1Judith Borràs2Department of Research and Diagnostics in Education, Universitat de Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, SpainDepartment of Research and Diagnostics in Education, Universitat de Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, SpainEnglish Department, Universidad de Diseño y Tecnología, 28016 Madrid, SpainEvery year, an increasing number of students decide to study abroad in non-English-speaking countries, and Spain is recently a very popular destination within Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) communities. This paper attempts to deepen our knowledge of the impact of international student mobility (ISM) on students’ multicultural identity and career development. To do so, the experiences of 10 LAC students who completed a one-year degree programme in Barcelona are examined. Semi-structured interviews were employed to evaluate the international experiences one year after their completion. During their post-mobility interviews, participants were able to reflect on the ISM through a structured dialogue that allowed them to analyse the experience from a distance. Findings indicate that the ISM helped them to grow personally and professionally and, one year after the stay, they are aware of this evolution. They show an increase in their self-confidence, and they see the experience as an opportunity for personal maturity. This suggests that universities should consider the importance of offering guidance to these students when they end their master’s degree and are considering their plans for the future.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/9/869internationalisationinternational student mobilitycareer developmentmulticulturalitymaster’s degreehigher education
spellingShingle Robert G. Valls-Figuera
Mercedes Torrado-Fonseca
Judith Borràs
The Impact of International Student Mobility on Multicultural Competence and Career Development: The Case of Students from Latin America and the Caribbean in Barcelona
Education Sciences
internationalisation
international student mobility
career development
multiculturality
master’s degree
higher education
title The Impact of International Student Mobility on Multicultural Competence and Career Development: The Case of Students from Latin America and the Caribbean in Barcelona
title_full The Impact of International Student Mobility on Multicultural Competence and Career Development: The Case of Students from Latin America and the Caribbean in Barcelona
title_fullStr The Impact of International Student Mobility on Multicultural Competence and Career Development: The Case of Students from Latin America and the Caribbean in Barcelona
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of International Student Mobility on Multicultural Competence and Career Development: The Case of Students from Latin America and the Caribbean in Barcelona
title_short The Impact of International Student Mobility on Multicultural Competence and Career Development: The Case of Students from Latin America and the Caribbean in Barcelona
title_sort impact of international student mobility on multicultural competence and career development the case of students from latin america and the caribbean in barcelona
topic internationalisation
international student mobility
career development
multiculturality
master’s degree
higher education
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/9/869
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