The Cross-Cultural Sensitivity of Iisma Awardees: A Narrative Inquiry

Objective: This research aims to understand the influence of the Indonesian International Student Mobility Award (IISMA) program on the cross-cultural sensitivity of ITS scholarship recipients based on their experiences and stories during the program. Method: The research design for this study is narrative inquiry. Five scholarship recipients at a university in Madrid were asked to narrate their experiences through semi-structured interviews. The emerging themes indicate the extent to which the IISMA program, both directly (through mandatory program activities) and indirectly, influences the cross-cultural sensitivity of the awardees. Themes identified include language and culture, attitudes of openness and willingness to listen to others, cross-cultural exchange, empathy in understanding others' perspectives, and adopting new habits. Results: The findings indicate that the IISMA program has a significant impact on the cross-cultural sensitivity of its scholarship recipients. Participants are directly exposed to various cultures in Spain and actively engage with these cultures. Additionally, the IISMA program encourages participants to promote Indonesian culture internationally through mandatory challenges and other assigned tasks. Conclusions: The research provides insights into how the IISMA program influences cultural integration, attitudes toward others, intellectual interactions, empathy, and behavioral adaptation among the scholarship recipients. This study highlights the importance of international cultural exchange programs in enhancing understanding and cross-cultural sensitivity among participants.