BUS communication: project on 'communication barriers, challenges and strategies in a multicultural context.'

Project on "Communication barriers, challenges and strategies in
a multicultural context.”
Business Communication (BUS251)
Section: 05
Submitted To
Khandoker Asef Safa Kabir
Lecturer, Department of Management
SBE, North South University
Submitted By- ‘The Right Writers’
Name ID
Azizur Rahman Khan 1411757030
Rifat Hossain Khan 1411038030
Md. Moshiur Rahman 1420781030
Md. Sajid Hasan 1330222630
Md. Mamunur Rashid 1410058030
Md. Arifine Hossain Toha 1231150030

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Acknowledgement
I would like to express my special gratitude and thanks to my honorable faculty Khandoker Asef
Safa Kabir who has guided us with his valuable advices and supports. Without his guidelines, it
would not be possible for me to complete the whole research work in due time.
I would like to thank all the respondents who have participated in our interview. Without their
friendly participation & help our research would have never been accomplished. They provided us
with important information that helped us understanding our research area and justify our analysis.
I thank all of them for their valuable time and opinion to conduct the survey.

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Letter of Transmittal
August 18, 2017
Khandoker Asef Safa Kabir
Lecturer
Department of Management
North South University Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Subject: Submission of the report on ‘Communication Barriers, Challenges & Strategies in a
Multicultural context’
Dear Sir,
It is indeed a great pleasure for us to be able to hand over the result of our hardship- the final report.
This report is the result of the knowledge which has been acquired from the respective course. The
main objective of this project report is to know about the communication barriers, and for this how
much the international students get affected. We try to put our maximum effort in this group
project. We have shown our uttermost gratitude for the opportunity you gave us to implement our
analytical thinking and interpretation skills that will help us in building our future career. We
anticipate learning some real life lessons.
We, fervently hope that you will find this plan worth reading. Please feel free for any query or
clarification that you would like us to explain. Hope you will appreciate our hard work and excuse
the minor errors. Thanking you for your cooperation.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely
Azizur Rahman Khan
Rifat Hossain Khan
Md. Moshiur Rahman
Md. Mamunur Rashid
Md. Sajid Hasan
Md. Arifine Hossain Toha

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Table of contents
Contents Name Page Number
Executive summery 05
Chapter 1: Introduction To The Topic 06
Chapter 2: Literature Review 08
Chapter 3 Research Methodology 12
Chapter 4: Findings obtained from the
data analysis
14
Chapter 5: Recommendation and
Conclusion
20
Reference 23
Appendix 24

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Executive Summary
We are assigned to find out the Communication barriers, challenges and strategies in a
multicultural context a student face in the form of group project. To find out our objective we have
to conduct one type of research. The research method is primary method .For primary research we
took interview from six people who are living abroad for their higher level study purpose. After
doing the research we found out the result that there are several reasons behind the Communication
barriers, challenges and strategies in a multicultural context a student face and they have to cope
with these problems and they have to solve it by themselves. For the language barrier they have to
learn the local language for their further daily life activities and they have to adapt different
customized characteristics for their standard life in the foreign country.

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Chapter 1: Introduction
A communication barrier is anything that prevents someone from receiving and understanding the
messages from others use to convey their information, ideas and thoughts. These barriers may be
related to the messages, thoughts & feelings of someone which he wants to convey towards others.
International students are the main sufferer of this sort of thing. We all know that, now a days, the
well-rounded education in preparation for living and working successfully in the 21st century
needs not only to be higher but also deeper, broader and less nationalistic than that which has
served past generations. More and more students arrive in foreign countries and follow studies at
all levels, for various reasons. So, our report is all about them. Their problems which they face,
what they think about this problem, what is their attitude about communication barriers, what is
their suggestion on this topic, etc. We have interviewed many international students currently
studying in Bangladesh, we also interviewed some Bangladeshi students who studies overseas.
After collecting the data we have analyzed them & have found out some problems and possible
solutions, summarize them, & have enlisted them in our report.
Significance to the context of Business Communication
Our topic, ‘Communication Barriers, Challenges & strategies in a Multicultural Context’ is very
much significant to the context of business communication. As, the cross-cultural communication
or multicultural communication is very much important for our business world. It’s the era of
globalization now a days. The world is like a village to us & we all are the villagers to that village.
So, if we want to trade among ourselves or if we want to develop a business relation among us, so
it’s very much important for us to know about the communication barriers. Multicultural
communication has become strategically important to companies due to the growth of global
business, technology, and the Internet. That’s why understanding communication barriers is
important for any company that has a diverse workforce or plans on conducting global business.
Multicultural communication involves an understanding of how people from different cultures
speak, communicate, and perceive the world around them. Multicultural communication in an
organization deals with understanding different business customs, beliefs and communication
strategies. Language differences, high-context vs. low-context cultures, nonverbal differences,

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and power distance are major factors that can affect multicultural communication so it’s very much
important for a business student to know about the challenges & strategies of multicultural
communication.
Key Objectives of the Research
The key objectives of the research are-
1/ to know about communication barriers deeply
2/ to know about its effects on the international students
3/ to know the students perception about this
4/ to point out the problems of communication barriers
5/ to find out the possible solutions about this

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Chapter 2: Literature Review
Types of Literature Reviewed
We have gone through different journal, case study, website, blog, article, research papers for
doing this secondary research.
Findings Obtained from Literature Review
Language and communication related problems are seen as one of the toughest challenges for
international students during their adjustment period. Coping with cultural differences and
academic demanding are also identified as the important adjustment issues for international
students
Antwi and Ziyati (1993) assumed that the lives of international students outside their home
countries and cultures were communication-based experiences. Findings revealed that the
existence of a number of obstacles and barriers that made interaction and understanding difficult
among different cultures. These barriers and obstacles included intense feelings of isolation,
loneliness, and frustration. Loneliness of international students was likely because they had no
time to make new friends due to a heavy load of academic work and the limitation of language.
(Chen, 1996)
When coming to the U.S. to study, many international students are faced with an unfamiliar social
and educational culture. Consequently, the adjustment issues and the difficulty international
students may face when coming to the U.S. are not surprising. A study by Kaczmarek, Matlcok,
Merta, Ames, and Ross (1994) suggested that international students appeared to have a more
difficult college transition when compared to that of U.S. students. Additionally, they found that
these students appeared to experience difficulty seeking assistance when needed. According to
Zhai (2002) international students felt very isolated from U.S. students and culture. Therefore,
creating programs to bridge international and U.S. students is highly recommended. Interaction
with U.S. students can not only improve international students' language and intercommunication
skills, but also provide them 14 16 opportunities to understand and adjust to U.S. culture. Previous
research discovered that international students who spent more of their leisure time with U.S.

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students were significantly better adapted than those who spent more leisure time with their fellow
citizens (Surdam & Collins, 1984).
At the same time, U.S. students' experience of people who are culturally and linguistically different
may teach them cross-cultural skills which are very important in today's diverse society. A variety
of programs can be designed to bring to the same end, such as English conversation partner
program, culture clubs, and international festivals.
People from different cultures may be not able and not willing to communicate with others due to
various reasons. With this regard, dozens of studies have been conducted. One of the researchers
into intercultural communication, Laray M. Barna (1997), has identified six stumbling blocks in
intercultural communication. These refer to the main causes of frustration and misunderstanding
in intercultural encounters.
The next barrier to intercultural communication is assuming similarity instead of dissimilarity.
When people are acting in a home manner in the different culture it might cause a lot of problems.
In order to prepare yourself for various circumstances it is very important to assume laws, habits,
and attitudes of another society. The reason for this assumption might also be our discomfort in
dealing with difference. In any case, as we have learned by now, people have different assumptions
and worldviews, in a word cultures. Unless we are aware of these differences, we are certain to
face difficulties in communicating with people from other cultures. The second and third stumbling
blocks according to Barna are linguistic ones, in other words language differences and nonverbal
misinterpretations (See also Jandt, 2001).
Another block is the preconceptions and stereotypes that we might hold. Samovar and Porter(1991)
defines stereotypes are over generalized, second hand beliefs that provide conceptual bases from
which we “make sense” out of what goes on around us, whether or not they are accurate or fit the
circumstance. Stereotypes are stumbling blocks for communicators because they interfere with
objective viewing of stimuli. In other words we have a certain stereotypical preconception of a
person from a culture and we interpret his/her behaviour according to this preconception, whether
or not the reason for the behaviour is what we think it is.

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Next stumbling block is the tendency to evaluate. We tend to approve or disapprove the statements
and actions of other person or group rather than to try to comprehend completely the thoughts and
feelings expressed from the worldview of the other. This prevents the open-minded attention
needed to look at the attitudes and behavioural patterns from the other’s point of view. Finally, the
sixth block is called high anxiety or tension. It is also known as stress. Too much anxiety or tension
requires some form of relief which too often comes in the form of defences, such as the skewing
of perceptions, withdrawal, or hostility. High anxiety often underlies and compounds the other
stumbling blocks. ( Laray M. Barna, 1997)
Because we learn to be members of our own culture, a phenomenon called ethnocentrism may
result. Ethnocentric people tend to value their own culture above everything else and judge the
others using one’s own cultural criteria. To some extent, all the cultures are ethnocentric. This is
natural, since people have been brought up thinking that their way is “the natural” way to do things.
However, ethnocentrism can also lead to cultural misunderstandings if it is not recognized because
it provides us with only limited choice of human thinking and behaving.
At the opposite direction from ethnocentrism is ethno relativism. Bennett (1986) has developed a
model for development from one end of the continuum to the other. The core concept of this model
is difference. We must recognize that cultural differences exist among people in order to move
from ethnocentrism to ethno relativism. According to Bennett (1993), this happens in six stages,
which are denial, defense, minimization, acceptance, adaptation and integration. In the first stage
the assumption is that everyone in the world is the same as us. Characteristic for the second stage
is the feeling of superiority of one culture over another. On the stage three differences are
recognized but trivialized by assuming that basically all humans are alike. The fourth stage
represents acceptance and respect for cultural differences. On the fifth stage this recognition turns
into observable behavior. People show cultural empathy and pluralistic way of thought. On the
final stage we not only adapt to cultural differences but enjoy experiencing such differences.
A variety of specific techniques have been suggested to address the problem of overcoming the
impact of cultural diversity on communication. For example, Barker and Gower (2010) examine
storytelling as a way to increase effective communication in a diverse workplace. The authors

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present a form of storytelling as an organizational communication tool and discuss how to apply
it in the work environment. This approach may not be suitable for all organizations, it but can be
used to develop alternative strategies. When cultural and linguistic differences are at play, the role
of translators can become important to Transition sentence to paragraph’s next source Presentation
of paragraph’s second source.
Teodorescu (2010) addresses the need for translation in culturally diverse communications by
highlighting the negative affect that poor translation can have on communications and offering
strategies for effectively sharing ideas in culturally diverse environments.
On the other hand L2(Second Language) speakers of English employ diverse communication
strategies to resolve their communication issues. Communicative strategies may be defined as
techniques employed by individuals in order to bridge the gap between their linguistic knowledge
and communication goal (Maleki, 2007; Saeidi & Farshchi, 2015).
Although many L2 learner-oriented studies of second language acquisition investigated
communicative strategies, they tend to concentrate more on their oral skills in general than
phonology (e.g. Bialystok, 1983; Dörnyei & Scott, 1995; López, 2011; Paribakht, 1985; Poulisse,
1993).
Two studies in the Canadian context investigated communicative strategies of L2 adult learners at
language institutions focusing on their phonological difficulties (Derwing & Rossiter, 2002;
Osburne, 2003).
Derwing and Rossiter (2002) examined 100 ESL adult learners from diverse first language
backgrounds at an intermediate level of language proficiency. Their mixed methods study found
that the majority of the participants believed their communication difficulties stemmed from their
pronunciation.

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Chapter 3: Research Methodology
The Methods Used for the research
This part shows the roadmap to make an informative and narrative report. In this part we represents
how we collected data and what types of data we used to make a successful project. As our topic
is communication barriers and challenges and strategies in a multicultural context. We have
followed both primary and secondary data collection method. For collecting primary data we took
interview and also for secondary data we collected information from different online sites.
The description of methods:
For collecting primary data, after getting information about our topic, we followed a set of
question which were relevant and important to make findings. Basically we followed qualitative
research pattern and asked semi structure questions to interviewees. Questionnaire had 12 open
ended questions which helped us to collecting very narrative information.
For taking interview we took appointments of interviewees. Some of the interview took at our
campus and some were outside of campus. We took 6 interview from foreign students those who
are studying in Bangladesh and some professionals those who studied abroad. All face to face
interview was recorded. We asked all 12 questions to interviewee and also notified them
beforehand about the questions and recording criteria. For analyzing data, we combine all six
interviewees answer. As a main source of data, interview gives us a good guideline to finish the
research.
For collecting secondary data, we visited some internet based sites which are relevant with our
topic. We have collected information from different websites, articles, reports and online journals
regarding the communication barriers and strategies in a multicultural context.
Qualitative
Research
Semi
Structure
Question
Face to face
interview

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Reason behind the used methods (Rationale)
Reasons behind the used primary data:
❖ Our project topic is cross culture barriers, which is relevant with the foreign students and
people those who studied abroad. So, we focused on the foreign students those who are
studying Bangladesh and professionals those who studied outside of Bangladesh.
❖ These people can provide us perfect information because they have experience in different
culture.
❖ Same questions to all interviewees gives us diverse information.
❖ By using this method; interview, we can identify what types of problems they are facing in
their communication.
❖ We recorded interview conversation which helped us to make interview transcript and
analyze their opinion in findings section.
Reasons behind the used secondary data:
We searched for applicable data from the online sources. As we mentioned earlier, we collected
primary data from interview but to make these data stronger and more rational we also used
secondary data. Another reason behind the used of secondary data is Internet based sites give us
updated information which helped us to make a organize report.

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Chapter 4: Findings
Findings obtain from data analysis
For obtaining primary data about the research topic six extensive interviews were conducted by
our group members. Those people are:
➢ Pema Dhendup, (2017, August 09), Student, North South University.
➢ Mohamed Suleiman Tavabi (2017, August 08), Student, North South University.
➢ Mehzaad Bilal, (2017, August 11), Ibrahim Medical College.
➢ Asif Ahmed, (2017, August 10), Student, Youngsan University, Incheon, South Korea
(2008-2012).
➢ Md. Ismail, (2017, August 12), Student, North South University.
➢ Md. Solaiman, (2017, August 10), Student, North South University.
The main scope of this research was to find the how Students faces Communication barriers,
challenges and strategies in a multicultural context.
Most of the respondents have till now study in several universities and one of them already done
with his study in the South Korea.
➢ While asking the question “How many years have you been studying in a foreign Country”.
On this question among all of them, Pema Dhendup state that he has been study abroad
around 1 year, Mohamed Suleiman Tavabi state that he has been study abroad for around
1 year and 8 months, Mehzaad Bilal state that she has been study abroad for 4 years, Asif
Ahmed state that he has been study abroad for 4 year, Md. Ismail state that he has been
study abroad for around 1 year and 5 months and Md. Solaiman state that he has been study
abroad for around 1 year and 7 months.

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➢ Then when we asked about “Was it easy to get acquainted with foreigners despite the
language foreign barrier?"
Most of the respondents answered that at first it was completely difficult for them except
for students and people those can speak English. But with time they are adapting it.
➢ When we asked about “Is it necessary to learn other languages except English to
communicate more effectively in a multicultural setting?”
Their responses are as like other language It is compulsory for them to learn local countries
language which they are in because they have to stay on this country for a longer bit time.
So, for them it was the only way that they can communicate with the local people; like to
communicate with Bengali people they have to learn the Bengali language.
So, in this case we can conclude that it’s very crucial that every person should learn the
local languages when they go abroad for their higher study purpose.
➢ When we asked about, “Did they face any specific communication barriers or
challenges while communicating with people from other cultures? If yes, what are they?’’
Most of the responses like that they always face specific challenges like when they go out
for shopping they have to go through with the bargaining process. When the local people
or shopkeepers see any foreigner coming towards, they will increase the price of the
products and after that they have to go through with the bargaining process. For them, they
always try to reduce the price but they found it difficult for them reduce the price. They
also added that, in the perspective of Bangladeshi shopkeeper they are not good at English
and on that time they have to point out each and every product they need and they have to
go through with this harassment.

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➢ For the question "How did they get over such communication barriers?"
In reply, Most of them stated that sometimes they have to use favorable language or body
language or they have to act what they want to say. Sometimes they may use of local people
who can understand little bit English or anyone who can understand English well. They
have to use this process with rickshaw pullers also.
➢ For the question about, “Did they ever have misunderstandings while communicating with
people from other cultures? How did they resolve such misunderstandings?”
In replay, most of them stated that they have face several misunderstanding while
communication with different culture people. Sometimes they have to solve by themselves
and most of the time leave that issue. So, when they see the opposite person is not
understand them most of them sacrifice that matter and leave it. One of them “Mohamed
Suleiman Tavabi” said that few months ago he was travelling with a rickshaw and before
he sit in rickshaw he confirmed the fare at 20 taka and after that when he reached at his
destination the rickshaw puller asked him to pay 50 taka as his fare. On that time he try to
say that the fare is set at 20 taka but how he can asked for 50 taka. When he failed to explain
this matter to the rickshaw puller, he sacrifice that matter and pay 50 taka to that rickshaw
puller. Asif Ahmed also added that when he was in korea he also faces some problems in
food segment where he has to explained that in our religion pork and alcohol is haram but
for them it was common and he has to mentioned that when he was about to taking his
meal every time.
➢ When we asked about, “Does cultural difference affect communication? How, if yes?’’
Most of them reply like that cultural difference affects communication. The culture they
generally belong should be different from any foreign culture in terms of mind set or
lifestyle. In the perspective of Bangladesh they are much more submissive to their elders,
they tend to be much more polite and they respect the elders. They have some values or
morality from their childhood. In Bangladeshi culture it is quite offensive to smoke

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in front of the elderly person. But from their experience they had seen that in this
particular thing they are much more flexible. Anyone can smoke in front of their elders.
Even drinking alcohols with their parents and senior brothers or colleagues is a simple issue
for them.
➢ Next we asked the question,"" What communication tactics helped you communicate
more effectively with people from other cultures?”
Most of the participants said that, for them they had to be patient. Besides they followed
particular tactic to be able to communicate with the local people by following some signs
and symbols, they learnt the applications of those signs and resolve their problem. For
instance, in subway while moving from one place to another they had to pick the symbols
illustrated where they can buy the tickets. They also use local languages according to their
ability how much they can use to the local peoples understanding.
➢ For the question, " How did people from different cultures varied in terms of how they
communicate?"
Most of them reply that, to talk about culture like they have different language extreme.
They talk differently according to their locality.
➢ When we asked the question, "Did they adapt/customize their communication approaches
while communicating with people from different cultural groups? How?
Most of them reply that, they are not sure, may be they have adopted some Bangladeshi
approaches like gossiping with friends, which local people call it as ‘Adda’. Most of them
Use favorable language, body language or these staffs for their communication approaches.

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➢ Then we asked them “Can you share any experience that reflects the contrast between
Bangladeshi and foreign communication styles?”
Most of them say they have face different experience like which reflects the contrast
between Bangladeshi and foreign communication style. Compare to us with Bangladeshi
like when they speak they are kind of more aggressive. They mean different but physically
they seem aggressive. But Md. Asif ahmed stated that the Korean people will listen less
time and they don’t have enough time to argue with others. He also went to Ethiopia where
he was a foreigner. They were cool and quiet. They were not quarrel with each other.
➢ When we asked them “What specific advice would they give to international students to
help them improve their overall communication skills in a multicultural setting?”
Most of them reply similarly and stated that, foreign students have to act honestly. Then if
people see you that you are honest and friendly person then people will welcome you and
again they will behave with you as like their own people. Students should set a standard
from where they can learn by looking at you. They have to show honesty. This is their
experience and by this way they have overcome their barriers. So, if they want to
kill/remove this barrier, they should use these staffs.
What the Findings Indicate
➢ Most of the responders are till now study in abroad and they are now on their around 1-2
years study circle. Two of them already complete their study and they are working on their
desired field.
➢ At the beginning it was difficult for the foreigners to get acquainted despite the language
foreign barrier but after time they are adapting those language.
➢ It’s very crucial that every person should learn the local languages when they go abroad
for their higher study purpose.

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➢ Foreign students always face specific challenges like when they go out for shopping or
other activities in the perspective communicating with other culture peoples which is called
as communication barriers or challenges.
➢ If foreign students want to overcome these barriers they have to use favorable language or
body language or they have to act what they want to say to other culture people and they
have learn local language also.
➢ When they have misunderstandings while communicating with people from other cultures,
that time most them sacrifice those issue or sometimes they solved it by themselves.
➢ In the fact of does cultural difference affect communication, most of them say that it effects
good enough and it differs culture to culture.
➢ They have to use some tactics to communicate with people like some signs, symbols and
the local language also.
➢ Peoples from different cultures use their local language to communicate with each other
and it varied from culture to culture in the communication time.
➢ Most of them adapt or customize some of their language according to the local culture
demands.
➢ According to them Bangladeshi peoples are more aggressive compare to the other countries
people.

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Chapter 5: Recommendations and Conclusion
Limitation of the research
While working on this research work we had to go through some limitations and difficult times to
gather the information that we have collected from different sources. It was quite difficult for us
to cope with these limitations however we were able to complete our work through our
cohesiveness and dedication on this topic. The barriers that we had to face are describing below:
Sample size: The main problem was evolved during our work on this topic was the limitation of
sample size. We were asked to work on only six respondents according to the sum of our group
mates. As this paper is based on qualitative research, a larger sample size would have offered with
more qualitative information which meets our standard requirements. It would be better if we could
increase the amount of our respondents for having a diversify response from different sectors.
Time constraint: The main obstacle we had to face that is the time management. The research
was conducted by a group of six business students. Having regular schedule classes, it was hard
enough for us to take interviews under interviewee’s desire time selection. Moreover the research
participants live far away from each other and had to face hassle during travel from one place to
another. Collecting information from both primary and secondary sources within a short period of
time is also counted as a barrier.
Lack of quantitative data to verify results: We tried our best to complete our research work
through the collection of primary and secondary data. But if we could do a survey on general
people what they think about the barriers of multicultural concept then it would give more depth
to our research work. Unfortunately no survey or any form of quantifiable data was collected for
the purpose of this research.
Lack of secondary information: While working on the collection of secondary data, research
participants had to face the deficiency in terms of information available for the literature review
particularly. We trend different sources where intelligence or scholar opinions were publicly
available. Unfortunately some of the sites do not provide us with detailed information which was
required to complete our work.

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Respondent’s unwillingness: As a primary data we had to conduct with face to face interviews
by following qualitative research pattern and asking semi structured questionnaires to those who
are studying Bangladesh and professionals those who studied outside of Bangladesh. It was tough
for us to find our proper interviewee from whom we could collect our required information. At the
beginning many of them did not accept our proposal.
Limited findings: It was one of the crucial problems that we had faced while taking interviews.
Some of the interviewees did not give us complete feedback for their personal circumstances which
would be more informative in terms of finishing our research work. One of our participants did
not allow to record the interview as a proof.
Recommendation for future research on this topic
A bigger sample size: A research topic like communication Barriers, Challenges & strategies in
a Multicultural Context requires a vast amount of sample size to pack the overall components
regarding to this topic. Though the participant of six individuals complete our requirement, it
would be easier for us it there would be more expertise. A larger sample size provide a better and
more measurable result in the future which will help to further ensure the validity and the reliability
of the finding of this report.
Bigger time frame: For being an important topic, it is necessary to provide more times so that
future researchers can have enough time to work on their topic with patiency and involve in depth
analysis for providing an informative result.
Open Survey: Future researchers can involve in open survey to general people along with
interviews to expertise on this field to gather more information.

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Conclusion
There is no doubt that an international student have to face obstacles during the adaption of foreign
culture and language which turn into a crucial stage for their adjustment on that particular country.
For communicating with foreign individual, an international student should construct their
communication skills. The existence of a number of obstacles and barriers that made interaction
and understanding difficult among different cultures. For a proper communication within foreign
and regional student, one must overcome these barriers. International students should come to the
point that they should break their barriers of communication and attach with foreign students to
improve their skills. Through this process it would be easier for them to know about the cultural
differences, foreign behavior and so on. Students should spent more of their time with foreign
students which helps them to adapt their culture, way of thinking and language as well. Besides
breaking the ethnocentric approach towards the foreign individual and adapt ethno relativism
would be a great approach to conduct into communication students who are going from home
country to a foreign country in purpose of studying or business, they needs to be patience and
study about that particular culture before going to that country. They should learn some basic
cultural norms and practices of that foreign country to avoid unwanted experience. After reaching
the particular foreign country one must have the ability to observe their way of doing things,
mindset, and their lifestyle. At last one have to bear such mentality that h/she can adapt the
changing of the environment which is really important. Either than this it is really tough enough
to deal in an alien environment.

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Reference
Dumessa, M. and Godesso, A., 2014. Explorations of Intercultural Communication Barriers among
the Students of College of Social Sciences and Law at Jimma University, Oromiya,
Ethiopia. Journal of Intercultural Communication, (34).
G. Kaczmarek, Peggy & Matlock, Glenn & Merta, Rod & H. Ames, Michael & Ross, Meredith.
(1994). An assessment of international college student adjustment. International Journal
for the Advancement of Counselling. 17. 241-247. 10.1007/BF01407740.
Bennett, J.M. & Bennett, M.J. (2003): Developing intercultural sensitivity. Landis, D., Bennett, J.,
Bennett, M. (red.): Handbook of Intercultural Training (s. 147-165)
Olivas, M. and Li, C.S., 2006. Understanding stressors of international students in higher
education: What college counselors and personnel need to know. Journal of Instructional
Psychology, 33(3).
Olivas, M. and Li, C.S., 2006. Understanding stressors of international students in higher
education: What college counselors and personnel need to know. Journal of Instructional
Psychology, 33(3).
ClARk, J. and BAkeR, T., 2011. " It's Not Fair!" Cultural Attitudes to Social Loafing in Ethnically
Diverse Groups. Intercultural Communication Studies, 20(1).

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Appendix
INTERVIEW EXCERPT (PARTICIPANT 1)
General Introduction
Name of the Participant : Pema Dhendup
Gender : Male
Occupation : Student
Place of Study : North South university
Years studies abroad : Almost 1 year
Subject Studies : CSE
Date of Interview : 9th
august, 2017
Location of the Interview : North South University
Interviewer: first of all than you for giving me chance to interview you.
Interviewee: It’s okay.
Interviewer: How many years have you been studying in a foreign Country?
Interviewee: It’s like almost one year. By the end of this September it will be one year in
Bangladesh.
Interviewer: Was it easy to get acquainted with foreigners despite the language foreign barrier?
Interviewee: Well, at first since it was completely willing to us it was difficult. But with time we
are adapting
Interviewer: Is it necessary to learn other languages except English to communicate more
effectively in a multicultural setting?
Interviewee: yah, sure. For example to be set in Bangladesh, most of the people know English
but they don’t use that language. So it is importance for us to know Bengali
language in order to feel homely when we communicate.

25
Interviewer: Did you face any specific communication barriers or challenges while
communicating with people from other cultures?
Interviewee: yes.
Interviewer: What are they?
Interviewee: in some country those who know in English in that case there is not that much
problem. But who don’t know English Completely in that case it is difficult. We
have to action it in order to convey a message. For example: when we first came to
Bangladesh we didn’t have any friend. So we have to do shopping by ourselves.
And shopkeepers are not that much familiar with English. So we have to point the
food that we want to buy.
Interviewer: How did you get over such communication barriers?
Interviewee: We have to action it like Mama something. Then we were just pointing something.
It was quite interesting and funny too. Like it is a memory for us.
Interviewer: Did ever have misunderstandings while communicating with people from other
cultures?
Interviewee: Not that serious. It is normal.
Interviewer: Does cultural difference affect communication?
Interviewee: yes. It does.
Interviewer: What communication tactics helped you communicate more effectively with
people from other cultures?
Interviewee: In Bangladesh, we always try to keep communicate with Students because they
know English very well. But other villagers are not that much well known.
Interviewer: How did people from different cultures varied in terms of how they communicate?
Interviewee: To talk about culture like they have different language extreme. They talk
differently according to their locality.
Interviewer: Did you adapt/customize your communication approaches while communicating
with people from different cultural groups?
Interviewee: No I don’t

26
Interviewer: Can you share any experience that reflects the contrast between Bangladeshi and
foreign communication styles?
Interviewee: Compare to us with Bangladeshi like when they speak they are kind of more
aggressive. They mean different but physically they seem aggressive.
Interviewer: What specific advice would you give to international students to help them
improve their overall communication skills in a multicultural setting?
Interviewee: it is better to cope with friends, especially with classmates. Learn some Bengali
language, something mixed with English, Slowly improve their communication,
make the friendship closer, and be homely.
Interviewer: Thank you so much again for giving me chance to interview you.
Interviewee: it is my pleasure.

27
Name of the Participant : Mohamed Suleiman Tavabi
Gender : Male
Place of Study : North South University
Years Studies Abroad : 1 year and 8 month
Subject Studies : Environmental Science
Date of the Interview : 8th
August, 2017
Location of the Interview : North South University Library.
Interviewer: Thank you Mr. Suleiman providing me with this opportunity to interview you.
Interviewee: Yeah. Thank you
Interviewer: How many years have you been studying in a foreign country?
Interviewee: I have been here 1 year and 8 month.
Interviewer: Was it easy to get acquainted with foreigners despite the language barrier?
Interviewee: Do you mean the local people? Apart from the students, I met in nsu and outside of
nsu it was difficult to communicate with the local people as a foreigner. Because, I have seen
various barriers for communication in the language as well as talking with the people to
understand each other. So, in generally I have met a difficult for communicate except for students
and people those can’t speak English.
Interviewee: ….Other languages. It is compulsory for you to learn countries language which you
are in. So, for me it was the only way that I can communicate with the local people. Like, Bengali.

28
….To communicate with Bengali, to learn Bengali language. So, in this case we can conclude that
it’s very crucial that every person should learn other language when his need.
communicating with people from other cultures? If yes, what are they?
Interviewee: I always face specific challenges. For…like, going market I am bargaining with the
Bangladeshis. So, they face you….when they see foreigner, they will increase the price then the
only way that … I mean that is awful to bargaining with them. So, within bargaining them… more
price yeah, more price. For me, I always try to reduce the price but I found difficult.
Interviewee: Sometimes I use favorable language or body language. Sometimes I may use of…
anyone who can understand little English or anyone who can understand English well… with
rickshaw pullers also.
Interviewer: Did you ever have misunderstandings while communicating with people from other
cultures? How did you resolve such misunderstandings?
Interviewee: … Well, it’s important to know how the person always solve this problem. Problem
is very difficult and some action. For given this issue, I always deal with… I always do sacrifice
from my side. So, when I see the person is not understand me. I always sacrifice. … Rickshaw
pullers inquire me or inquiry to different… more money. Like, for example, we agree that I will
pay 20 taka, then when I reach the last destination, he told me that will to giving 50 taka. So, other
people surrounding me and they look at me and said to me you agreed with him then you will pay
50 taka now you are paying 20 taka. Then on that time I sacrifice. So, I sum up with … I summarize
the way I did this, I do sacrifice mostly. Yeah mostly.
Interviewer: Does cultural difference affect communication? How, if yes?
Interviewee: Okay. You know if we look at the culture. I am Muslim and yeah majority of the
people in Bangladesh are Muslim. So, in culture there is no big difference me and Bangladeshi.
… Other culture… What I see little difference. Like food; you use more spicy, we use less spicy.

29
You like more rice with more oil, more salt, than we don’t like this. So, you like to eat chicken, I
like to eat beef, mutton, sheep these stuff. So, that difference I see.
Interviewer: What communication tactics helped you communicate more effectively with people
from other cultures?
Interviewee: Okay. I always try to communicate with the people friendly. So, if people see you,
you are friendly and you are not create any problem then they will sacrifice you something and
they will treat you than other. I mean… so, I always try to show honesty, respect so that within
sacrifice me something. This is the thing.
Interviewee: Yeah… okay, within… what I have seen so far in Bangladeshis that they always
communicate with speaking loudly and shouting each other while they are communicating. So, for
the various time I saw that people are shouting to each other. I mean, shouting each other then I
got surprise. They are quarreling each other. That means next step they will fight each other. Then
I found this is the normal way they communicate … yeah.
Interviewer: Did you adapt/customize your communication approaches while communicating with
people from different cultural groups? How?
Interviewee: Yeah….Yeah. You know, you have to maintain a strategy that you can communicate
with the foreigners. While you are a foreigner in a specific place. Like me, in Bangladesh, I always
try to hank them, show frankly and honestly…. I told you before. They can understand. Again I use
favorable language for the issue and the places that I see if people did not understood me. So, I
use favorable language, body language or these staffs.
Interviewee: Okay. Every communication style… me and our country always listen each other as
I told you. But here people do not listen each other. Yeah… while they are quarrel, they try to
confess his opinion with quarrel. While me, we try to confess his argument by listing mostly. Again,
these people will listen less time. So, this is the theme. I also went to Ethiopia. Where I was a

30
foreigner. They were quiet. They were not quarreling each other. If relate Ethiopia, my home and
Bangladesh. I understand that communication styles are difference. My home and Ethiopia
communication styles are similar… bit similar. But in Bangladesh I found different one.
Interviewer: What specific advice would you give to international students to help them improve
their overall communication skills in a multicultural setting?
Interviewee: Okay. Me, from my side I will advise foreign students have to act honestly. Then if
people see you…You are honest and friendly person then people will welcome you and again they
can do… that they have to learn by looking at you. I try to show honesty, next time I try to
understand a little Bangla. I can speak enough Bangla. This is my experience and way I have
overcome my barriers. So, if they want to kill his barriers may use these staffs.
Interviewer: Thank you for your time.
Interviewee: Thank you.

31
Name of the Participant: Mehzaad Bilal
Gender: Female
Occupation: Student
Place of Study: Ibrahim medical college
Years Studies Abroad: 2015-2017
Subject Studies: MBBS
Date of the Interview: 11.08.17
Location of the Interview: TSC, DU
Interviewer: Thank you providing me with this opportunity to interview you.
Interviewee: Thank you. You may proceed.
Interviewer: How many years have you been studying in a foreign country?
Interviewee: 4yrs
Interviewee: no
Interviewee: yes, of course
Interviewee: yes. Different language was the 1st barrier. In this country, many people don’t know
English. So it was quite difficult to communicate with people as i didn't know how to speak Bangla

32
Interviewee: I tried to learn it. Before that i had to did it by acting what i am going to say
Interviewer: Did you ever have misunderstandings while communicating with people from other
cultures? How did you resolve such misunderstandings?
Interviewee: yes many times. Sometimes I solved it with others help. & sometimes I left it
Interviewee: Actually I don’t think so. Today is the era of globalization. Here all of us are same,
and communicating with the people across the border is much easier now a days.
Interviewer: What communication tactics helped you communicate more effectively with people
from other cultures?
Interviewee: Mainly non -verbal communications like emails, Facebook chatting, twitter helped
me a lot when communicating with other cultures.
Interviewee: people from different cultures have different sorts of attitude, speaking styles &
accent.
Interviewer: Did you adapt/customize your communication approaches while communicating with
people from different cultural groups? How?
Interviewee: I’m not sure, may be I’ve adopted some Bangladeshi approaches like gossiping with
friends, which they call it ‘Adda’.
Interviewee: In Kashmir, people use religious words like, In- sha – Allah, Ma sha Allah frequently.
But I Bangladesh, though it’s a Muslim country but people don’t use these words much.
Interviewer: What specific advice would you give to international students to help them improve
their overall communication skills in a multicultural setting?
Interviewee: Before you go abroad, must learn the basic language and make sure that you are
aware of their culture

33
Name of the Participant : Asif Ahmed
Gender : Male
Occupation : Marketing Manager of Kotra Business Center, Dhaka
(Commercial Section)
Place of Study : Youngsan University, Incheon, South Korea
Years Studied Abroad : 2008-2012
Subject Studied : Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
Date of the Interview : 10th August, 2017
Location of the Interview : 76 Gulshan Ave, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Interviewer: Thanks for your time sir. How are you?
Interviewee: I am fine. Thanks. You may proceed.
Interviewer: how many years have you been studying in a foreign country?
Interviewee: I had been studying almost 4 years (2008-2012) at Youngsan University which is
nearby Incheon, South Korea.
Interviewee: Actually it is not easy to be acquainted with foreigners because apart from the
language there are some barriers like cultural differences and as a country like Korea it has much
more diversity than us. So yes, I had to face some difficulties while acquitting with the foreigners.
There are so many cultural elements that plays some significant roles. Having these cultural
difficulties while interacting with people or society. Especially when I was in South Korea, I had
to face food habits, time sense, lifestyle, discipline that we practice in Bangladesh is quite different
from Korea. So all these small things make huge impacts.

34
Interviewee: Yes, this is a very good question and I think is really necessary to learn third language
except your mother language and English because it has a vital impact when you will have job or
you will have to study in overseas countries. For example, from my experience I can say that when
I was in South Korea the language barrier was so big that at first I didn't know the Korean
language that well and almost half of the population of Korea was not good at English. If I could
have learnt a third language like Chinese or some European language like Spanish or French that
could help me; especially the Chinese language and it would be easy for me to communicate with
Korean people. There would be a mutual third common language between me and the other
communicating Korean person. So it is always better to have good command on third language.
If someone live in Europe, that would be helpful for that person because if h/she knows German,
Spanish or French, h/she always find a suitable way to contact with someone who does not know
English by using the help of a third language. Yes I think this question is really important and
relevant to be a helpful tool.
Interviewee: Yes I did. I can share one of my Korean experience. I suffered a lot with the food
habits. It was totally different from what we have in Bangladesh. It was not only about the food
items, also the time of having meals was totally different from what we do in Bangladesh. For
example, I had to take my breakfast early, maximum at 7 in the morning, I had to take my launch
at 12:30 and the most different thing was I had to take my dinner at 6:30 pm. But you know in
Bangladesh, we cannot imagine having our dinner at 6:30 in the noon. At initial stage I had to
face this kind of difficulties.
Interviewee: I had to try a lot to get over these barriers because you know as a human being our
natural tendency or instinct is to cope with. So I had to cope with the changing lifestyle over there.
I also adjust with the changing environment. I tried to adjust with the food habits, culture, daily
stuffs, and my lifestyle also my way of thinking.

35
Interviewer: Did you ever have misunderstandings while communicating with people
from other countries? How did you resolve such misunderstandings?
Interviewee: Yes I had few misunderstanding with Koreans. I can share another experience which
about my food habit. As you know being a Muslim we cannot afford to have pork or alcohol. In
Korea, having alcohol and pork is really common. Once I had to attend a lunch in a certain
occasion. They offered me pork with rice and I had no alternative choice. I told the organizer that
I cannot have pork in my meal. Unfortunately it was really unexpected for him because they
thought that it was a really simple issue. I had to make him understood to give other option to
complete my meal. So these types of similar misunderstanding occurred when I was in Korea.
Interviewee: From my experience I can say that the cultural difference affects communication.
The culture you generally belong should be different from any foreign culture in terms of mind set
or lifestyle. In Bangladesh we are much more submissive to our elders, we tend to be much more
polite, and we respects the elders. We have some values or morality from our childhood. In
Bangladeshi culture it is quite offensive to smoke in front of the elderly person. But from my
experience I had seen in Korea that in this particular thing they are much more flexible. Anyone
can smoke in front of their elders. Even drinking alcohols with their parents and senior brothers
or colleagues is a simple issue for them.
Interviewer: What communication tactics helped you communicate more effectively
with people from other cultures?
Interviewee: For my case most importantly I had to be patient. Besides I followed one particular
tactic to be able to communicate with the Koreans by following some signs and symbols, I learnt
the applications of those signs and resolve my problem. For instance, in subway while moving
from one place to another I had to pick the symbols illustrated where I can by the tickets, from
which station I had to take the trespass.
Interviewee: It varies a lot from culture to culture, places to places, origin to origin. What I have
observed during my days studying in foreign countries that I had to meet a lot of people from
different origin or different culture like European, Chinese or specially Korean who are from Seoul

36
(capital of Korea). Their way of communication is different from the people who are from Daegu.
The people from Seoul they are much more commercial and sensitive in terms of doing business
and time management. But the people from Daegu are friendlier and tend to be relaxed and lead
luxurious life.
Interviewer: Did you adapt/customize your communication approaches while
communicating with people from different cultural groups? How?
Interviewee: I had to adapt the communication approaches while communicating with people
with different cultural background. I had to understand the way of thinking of the Koreans, respect
their values and cultural norms by following their way of doing these things. And again when I
had to contact with Europeans I had to adjust according to their way of doing things. Similarly I
think it is a vise versa process. When the Europeans or Koreans communicate with me they also
had to adapt because communication is a two way process otherwise the communication could not
be established.
Interviewee: I have already shared my experience above and yes those contrast between
Bangladeshi and foreign communication styles. For instance, Koreans are more sincere than us
in terms of time management and also very sensitive for meeting up the deadline. I think it is the
clear contrast between Bangladeshi and with any other foreign country.
Interviewer: And finally what specific advice would you give to international students to help
them improve their overall communication skills in a multicultural setting?
Interviewee: I should say that those students who are going from home country to a foreign
country in purpose of studying or business, they needs to be patience and study about that
particular culture before going to that country, learn some basic cultural norms And practices of
that foreign country to avoid unwanted experience. After reaching the Particular foreign country
you must have the ability to observe their way of doing things, Mindset, their lifestyle which you
have to follow. And of course you have to bear such Mentality that you can adapt the changing of

37
the environment which is really important. Either than this it is really tough enough to deal in an
alien environment.
Interviewer: Thank you again sir for giving me an opportunity to interview you from your busy
schedule.
Interviewee: You are welcome.

38
Name of the Interviewee : Md. Ismail
Gender : Male
Place of Study : North South university
Years studies abroad : Almost 1 year and 5 months (around)
Subject Studies : BBA
august, 2017
Location of the Interview : North South University Canteen Premises
Interviewer: first of all thank you for giving me chance to interview you.
Interviewee: It’s like almost one year and five months I have been here in Bangladesh. By the
end of this year it will be around two years in Bangladesh.
Interviewee: Well, at first since it was completely difficult for us. But with time we
are adapting ourselves with the situation in this country.
Interviewee: yes it is necessary to learn other languages to communicate more effectively in a
multicultural setting . For example to be set in Bangladesh, most of the people
know English but they don’t use that language. So it is importance for us to know
Bengali language in order to communicate with them and try to make them like our

39
family and friends because we have to stay in this country for a long time.
Interviewee: yes.
Interviewer: What are they?
Interviewee: in some country those who know in English in that case there is not that much
problem. But who don’t know English Completely in that case it is difficult. We
have to action it in order to convey a message.
Interviewee: We have to learn some local languages word to make friends with the local people
and after that we learn more local language from them and used those languages
for our further communication requirements.
cultures?
Interviewee: Yes, I have. But It is normal. We all people sit together and talk with each other
and solved it out.
Interviewee: yes. It does. Because everybody has their own language and they always prefer to
talk with their own language and for different cultural people we have to use the
common language which is English.
Interviewee: In Bangladesh, we always try to keep communicate with Students because they
know English very well. But other people of different category like shopkeepers
are not that much well known.

40
Interviewee: To talk about culture like they have different language extreme. They talk
differently according to their locality.
Interviewee: No I don’t do. Because I have to talk with them in English because I am not that
good in Bengali.
Interviewee: No, I don’t know any type of contrast experience between the Bangladeshi and
foreign communication styles.
Interviewee: it is better to learn the local languages because we have to stay long time for our
higher study and that’s why we should learn the local language to cope with them,
try to cope with friends, especially with classmates. Learn some Bengali language,
something mixed with English, Slowly improve their communication, make the
friendship closer, and be homely.

41
Name of the Interviewee : Md. Solaiman
Gender : Male
Place of Study : North South University
Years studies abroad : Almost 1 year and 7 months (around)
Subject Studies : BBA
august, 2017
Location of the Interview : North South University Canteen Premises
Interviewer: first of all thank you for giving me chance to interview you.
Interviewee: I have been here one year and seven months.
Interviewee: It was easy to get acquainted with foreigners despite the language barrier, if you
have being friendly and if you want to interact with others. But in multy coulture
language is the most barriers as far I seen.
Interviewee: Yes, it is necessary to learn other languages except English because, there some
local people they didn’t know English well. Like; groceries, rickshaw puller.
That’s why local leaning of language is needed except English.

42
Interviewee: In Bangladesh, there I always face some communication barriers, especially with
grocery shop owner and rickshaw pullers, they are not able to speak in English
Language and I also face this problem with land owner.
Interviewee: I always try to sacrifice one thing, if it is easy to convince then I go for it. If is not
easy to convince then I sacrifice it and I leave it.
cultures?
Interviewee: usually I face this problem with some of local people like; shopkeeper ,rickshaw
puller, land owner. If I face difficult with these guys then I did sacrifice that I
already explained to you. At first I am trying to understand then, then I use body
language, if they didn’t understand me then I said “ok fine” and I leave it.
Interviewee: Yeah it does, different countries’ people have different culture, I am a foreigner
and you are a native person I mean you are a local person, your culture and my
culture are note same as well our language.
Interviewee: basically I use my body language the local people in Bangladesh. I think body
language most effective method for communicate.
Interviewee: Well, people in different country they have different communication style, in our
county we did not shouting each other when we talk each other but in Bangladesh,

43
people are shouting when they are communicating each others, in my first in
Bangladesh when I saw this I thought that they are fighting each other but later on
I
realized that they are not fighting, they are simply communicating each others. So
it’s varies to culture to culture.
Interviewee: Yes, I always customized my communication approaches, when I communicate
with educated people like you then I use one approached like using simple English
Language, when I communicate with the shopkeeper or rickshaw puller then I use
another approaches, it can be simple English word or body language.
Interviewee: Yeah, I told you before that, in my country people are not shouting at each other,
but in Bangladesh people are always do this, in here local people are doing this for
convincing each other but people in Istanbul they didn’t do this. So this thing is
differ from Bangladesh.
Interviewee: So I want to say that as foreigner, students should have two things, number one is
they should be friendly and should learn local language, that is very effective of
communication.

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