Interaction in multicultural group work: Perceptions from Omani international students in New Zealand
Abstract
This paper investigated Omani international students’ perceptions of peer interaction in multicultural group work during their undergraduate studies at a university in New Zealand. To gather data, a sample of twelve Omani international students were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings suggest that students were generally satisfied with their experiences in multicultural group work, viewing it as an opportunity to interact with classmates, collaborating with peers from diverse backgrounds, and offering ways to expand interaction outside the classroom. However, limited interaction in group work was associated with issues that led to dissatisfaction. These issues included disappointment due to the language barrier, differences in students’ different academic levels and commitments, and difficulty in maintaining friendships after completing group tasks. The findings advance our knowledge of the dynamics of multicultural group work and have implications for international students, pedagogy and educators within tertiary education.
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