Impacts of Language Barriers on Students’ Openness to Diversity Attitude

Short study abroad programs can facilitate students’ developing their intercultural sensitivity. The host country’s language may, however, affect the extent of students’ openness to diversity. This study empirically examines the impact of a host country’s language on openness to diversity attitudes of students participating in short summer study abroad courses. More specifically, this study compares and contrasts the students’ openness to diversity in non-English and English-speaking host countries both before and after the completion of such courses. The findings of this study suggest that students in an English-speaking host country are more open to diversity than those in a non-English-speaking host country.