Emotional Intelligence, a tool for teaching integration to international students in higher education in Finland

Abstract

This study explores the cultural integration of international students in higher education in Finland, focusing on Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SEAMK). The purpose of this thesis is to research if Emotional Intelligence (EI) theory is a suitable tool for teaching integration to international students and to explore the usability of EI and The Culture Map theories in academic concepts. The central research question addressed is: Are Emotional Intelligence and The Culture Map, good methods to teach international students to integrate into Finnish society?.

The research draws on Emotional Intelligence, defined as the ability to reason about and use emotions to enhance reasoning, including recognizing, expressing, leveraging, comprehending, and regulating emotions. It also incorporates Erin Meyer's The Culture Map framework, which identifies eight key dimensions that differentiate cultural perspectives and help navigate cultural differences.

A mixed-methods approach was adopted, integrating qualitative data from weekly journal entries and quantitative data from an online survey. Data was collected from international students at SEAMK who participated in an eight-lesson "Working Life Skills" course designed to teach integration and working life skills using Emotional Intelligence and The Culture Map theories.

The integration of these findings strongly indicates that teaching international students about cultural integration through the lens of Emotional Intelligence, incorporating frameworks like The Culture Map, enhances their understanding, increases their confidence, and provides practical strategies for navigating the complexities of adapting to a new culture and professional environment in Finland. The strong positive feedback provides substantial evidence that Emotional Intelligence is an effective tool for facilitating the integration process. The results have implications for curriculum development and pedagogical approaches in higher education.