Student Preparedness for Intercultural Communication in International Workplaces
Bradley-Gannon, Alexa Rose (2025)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025053018219
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025053018219
Tiivistelmä
The world today is increasingly becoming more internationally connected every day. With this connection come heterogenous societies and the need for new communication and work skills, such as within Finland. The country of Finland is more international than ever and showing record numbers of immigration in recent years. This change from a very homogenous society to a very heterogenous one shows the need for more multiculturalism and intercultural communication skills in not only school and work – but everyday life.
This thesis study explored how prepared students in Finland feel to enter this international
workforce with the skills they have learned at their respective universities or how they have already used them. The purpose of this study was to highlight what students and workers alike need to succeed in their studies and careers. The data for this research was gathered through multiple different surveys distributed to all students from universities all across Finland. The research looked into their opinions, skills, challenges, and
recommendations in regard to their own intercultural communication training.
The results showed clear differences between the international students and the Finnish students researched: whilst international students felt somewhat prepared, Finnish students felt unprepared. There are clear gaps in knowledge, available courses, and implementation that could greatly benefit students going on to work in international workplaces – or simply a workspace in an increasingly internationalizing country. The
thesis highlights the need for better intercultural communication training in universities, mandatory sensitivity training in all workplaces, and improved support systems for students of all backgrounds.
This thesis study explored how prepared students in Finland feel to enter this international
workforce with the skills they have learned at their respective universities or how they have already used them. The purpose of this study was to highlight what students and workers alike need to succeed in their studies and careers. The data for this research was gathered through multiple different surveys distributed to all students from universities all across Finland. The research looked into their opinions, skills, challenges, and
recommendations in regard to their own intercultural communication training.
The results showed clear differences between the international students and the Finnish students researched: whilst international students felt somewhat prepared, Finnish students felt unprepared. There are clear gaps in knowledge, available courses, and implementation that could greatly benefit students going on to work in international workplaces – or simply a workspace in an increasingly internationalizing country. The
thesis highlights the need for better intercultural communication training in universities, mandatory sensitivity training in all workplaces, and improved support systems for students of all backgrounds.