Exploring Intercultural Competence through Online Intercultural Exchange: Perspectives from Japanese Higher Education

This study investigates the experiences of Japanese university students participating in Online Intercultural Exchange (OIE) programs, focusing on how they reflect on the development of intercultural competence. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, it compares four different types of OIE programs and examines key factors that enhance students’ intercultural competence. The study also provides a nuanced understanding of intercultural competence from Japanese students’ perspectives, highlighting culturally specific interpretations and practices. The findings demonstrate that OIE is an effective and beneficial approach for fostering intercultural competence and suggest that, depending on its design, it can significantly increase student engagement and inclusiveness.