Mutual Intercultural Relations among University Students in Canada

Abstract

Over 304,000 international students studied in Canadian universities in 2013 (CIC, 2014). In addition to their academic success, one important feature of their stay in Canada is the quality of the intercultural relations, and the adaptations they make during their stay. The present study sought to understand the intercultural relations, acculturation and adaptation of both international students and Canadian students. Fifty-seven international (all from China) and 68 domestic students were drawn from several Canadian universities. Cluster analysis generated two clusters for international students (integration and diffuse) and two for Canadian students (multiculturalism and melting pot). International students in the integration cluster were more tolerant and better adapted than those in the diffuse cluster. Similarly, Canadian students in the multiculturalism cluster were also more tolerant and better adapted than those in the melting pot cluster. Implications of these findings for preparing international and Canadian students for their intercultural encounters were discussed.