Improved culturally-mixed group-project to promote intercultural skills and engagement

A group project involving randomly mixed local and international students was developed and trialled in a mechanical engineering unit in 2008 as a means to increase students' intercultural skills and engagement. The students were required to carry out a research group project designed to encourage the contribution and cooperation of all members of the group. Surveys and a focus group discussion prior to and after the project were carried out to learn whether the students had a heightened awareness and curiosity about other cultures and whether the experience had encouraged them to confidently engage cross-culturally. The students were also asked to comment on the difficulties they encountered during the group project. A modified project was carried out in 2009 incorporating some of the feedback obtained in 2008. This paper examines the students' responses to the project over both years, share the modifications made in 2009, and discuss what elements seemed to have a positive effect on the students' experience.