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'Like a 6-year-old dropped on Mars without parents': faculty members' intercultural competence and cultural adaptation in the UAE.

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Title: 'Like a 6-year-old dropped on Mars without parents': faculty members' intercultural competence and cultural adaptation in the UAE.
Authors: Aydogan, Mustafa (AUTHOR), İzmir, Esra (AUTHOR), Shahin, Hana (AUTHOR)
Source: Studies in Higher Education. Apr2026, Vol. 51 Issue 4, p855-876. 22p.
Subjects: Cultural adaptation, Cultural competence, University faculty, Communication barriers, Social role, Social adjustment, Multicultural education
Geographic Terms: United Arab Emirates
Abstract: This study examines the intercultural competence and sociocultural adaptation of international faculty members (IFMs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a highly multicultural educational setting. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study explores IFMs' adaptation experiences and the impact of multicultural teaching training. Quantitative analysis of 167 IFMs revealed a significant relationship between intercultural competence and sociocultural adaptation, with training enhancing both. Participants from Muslim or Arab backgrounds adapted better, emphasizing the role of cultural familiarity with the host culture. Qualitative findings from 14 interviews identified five key themes: (a) UAE's diverse environment, (b) cultural distance, (c) language and communication challenges, (d) institutional environment, and (e) personal experiences. Faculty navigated cultural misunderstandings, language barriers, and gender-specific classroom dynamics. Institutional support, particularly HR training, facilitated initial adaptation, although gaps in comprehensive preparation remained. The study highlights the need for sustained intercultural training and inclusive policies to enhance IFMs' integration and teaching effectiveness, contributing to diversity and faculty retention in the UAE's higher education sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Studies in Higher Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: 'Like a 6-year-old dropped on Mars without parents': faculty members' intercultural competence and cultural adaptation in the UAE.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Aydogan%2C+Mustafa%22">Aydogan, Mustafa</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22İzmir%2C+Esra%22">İzmir, Esra</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shahin%2C+Hana%22">Shahin, Hana</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Studies+in+Higher+Education%22">Studies in Higher Education</searchLink>. Apr2026, Vol. 51 Issue 4, p855-876. 22p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+adaptation%22">Cultural adaptation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+competence%22">Cultural competence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22University+faculty%22">University faculty</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication+barriers%22">Communication barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+role%22">Social role</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+adjustment%22">Social adjustment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Multicultural+education%22">Multicultural education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Arab+Emirates%22">United Arab Emirates</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study examines the intercultural competence and sociocultural adaptation of international faculty members (IFMs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a highly multicultural educational setting. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study explores IFMs' adaptation experiences and the impact of multicultural teaching training. Quantitative analysis of 167 IFMs revealed a significant relationship between intercultural competence and sociocultural adaptation, with training enhancing both. Participants from Muslim or Arab backgrounds adapted better, emphasizing the role of cultural familiarity with the host culture. Qualitative findings from 14 interviews identified five key themes: (a) UAE's diverse environment, (b) cultural distance, (c) language and communication challenges, (d) institutional environment, and (e) personal experiences. Faculty navigated cultural misunderstandings, language barriers, and gender-specific classroom dynamics. Institutional support, particularly HR training, facilitated initial adaptation, although gaps in comprehensive preparation remained. The study highlights the need for sustained intercultural training and inclusive policies to enhance IFMs' integration and teaching effectiveness, contributing to diversity and faculty retention in the UAE's higher education sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Studies in Higher Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=192729715
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/03075079.2025.2495713
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Cultural competence
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      – SubjectFull: University faculty
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Communication barriers
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      – SubjectFull: Social role
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      – SubjectFull: Social adjustment
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      – SubjectFull: Multicultural education
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      – SubjectFull: United Arab Emirates
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      – TitleFull: 'Like a 6-year-old dropped on Mars without parents': faculty members' intercultural competence and cultural adaptation in the UAE.
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            NameFull: Aydogan, Mustafa
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            NameFull: İzmir, Esra
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            NameFull: Shahin, Hana
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              M: 04
              Text: Apr2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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