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

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dc.contributor.authorAydogan, Mustafa
dc.contributor.authorIzmir, Esra
dc.contributor.authorShahin, Hana
dc.date.accessioned2026-04-25T14:20:07Z
dc.date.available2026-04-25T14:20:07Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.departmentSinop Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractThis 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.
dc.description.sponsorshipZayed University Research Ethics Committee [ZU24_012_F]; Zayed University Start-Up Grant [23036]
dc.description.sponsorshipProcedures in this study were approved by the Zayed University Research Ethics Committee (Approval number ZU24_012_F).This publication resulted (in part) from research supported by the Zayed University Start-Up Grant conferred to the research team (Project Title: International Faculty Members' Needs on Cultural Adaptation in Classroom Settings; Activity Code:23036).
dc.identifier.doi10.1080/03075079.2025.2495713
dc.identifier.endpage876
dc.identifier.issn0307-5079
dc.identifier.issn1470-174X
dc.identifier.issue4
dc.identifier.orcid0000-0002-9106-0994
dc.identifier.orcid0000-0002-3197-4516
dc.identifier.orcid0000-0001-8491-5440
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-105003319687
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ1
dc.identifier.startpage855
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2025.2495713
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11486/8372
dc.identifier.volume51
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001474200600001
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ1
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherRoutledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd
dc.relation.ispartofStudies in Higher Education
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.snmzKA_WOS_20260420
dc.subjectHigher education
dc.subjectinternational faculty members
dc.subjectintercultural competence
dc.subjectsociocultural adaptation
dc.subjectUnited Arab Emirates
dc.title'Like a 6-year-old dropped on Mars without parents': faculty members' intercultural competence and cultural adaptation in the UAE
dc.typeArticle

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