Intercultural Competence
entry by Julie M. Marx, Global Family Expert at Expat Valley
The capacity to perceive and respond appropriately to cultural difference, adapting one’s behavior and perspective to function effectively across cultural contexts. Understood developmentally: a continuum from ethnocentrism to ethnorelativism, rather than a fixed trait.
Comparable terms
Intercultural sensitivity (Bennett’s preferred term — emphasizes perceptual development) · Cross-cultural competence (HR/military — functional framing) · Cultural intelligence [CQ — organizational psychology; distinct construct emphasizing motivational and metacognitive dimensions] · Global competence (education — broader, includes geopolitical awareness)
Why this matters
Intercultural competence is the backbone of thriving in global family life. It explains why some people grow through mobility while others feel diminished by it. Seeing it as developmental helps parents and organizations design age‑appropriate and role‑appropriate support.
Cross-references
Intercultural Sensitivity (Cultural Adaptation); Global Mindset (Cultural Adaptation); DMIS (Cultural Adaptation); IDI (Cultural Adaptation); CQ (Cultural Adaptation); Cultural Agility (Cultural Adaptation); ICC (Cultural Adaptation); CCT (Cultural Adaptation). The DMIS provides the developmental theory of intercultural competence; the IDI measures it; CQ describes a related but distinct psychological construct emphasizing motivational and metacognitive dimensions; and cultural agility describes the behavioral meta-competency that applied intercultural competence produces. ICC is the communication-specific dimension of intercultural competence. CCT is the structured intervention designed to develop intercultural competence in organizational and educational contexts.
Sources
The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS), created by Milton J. Bennett, is a grounded theory positing that more complex perceptual categories yield more sophisticated intercultural experience, progressing through stages from Denial to Integration. Wiley Online Library Bennett, M.J. (1986). A developmental approach to training for intercultural sensitivity. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 10(2), 179–196.
Hammer, M.R., Bennett, M.J., & Wiseman, R. (2003). Measuring intercultural sensitivity: The intercultural development inventory. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 27, 421–443.
Reflections on RES Connect: Family-first mobility.
Why We Hosted This Event People have asked why we put this event together. The simple answer: because we could. Our mission is to improve the lives of international children and global families by seizing every opportunity to drive meaningful change, big or small. When the momentum arose to bring...
Read moreThe Relevance of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child for Multinational Corporations and Global Mobility
Introduction As the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) celebrates its 35th anniversary, it’s a fitting time to explore how its principles extend beyond state responsibilities and apply meaningfully to corporations. The CRC, adopted to protect children’s rights and welfare, originally focused on guiding governments in their...Read moreStory 30 of 52 /// The day after
A text exchange between two 16-year old teenagers attending an international school in an Asian expat hub. They went out last night, and are now checking in with each other to find out what transpired. [video width="528" height="480" mp4="https://www.expatvalley.com/wp-content/uploads/story_30_of_52-480p.mp4"][/video] About this Series This story is part of our 52...Read moreSettling vs. Belonging: The Journey of Truly Adapting to Your International Life
“Mom, where’s my blue jacket?” asked nine-year-old Ben for the third time that week. His mother, Marie, sighed as she shuffled through a few stray boxes in the living room that hadn’t yet found a home, still untouched months after their move from Germany to France. It was late autumn,...Read moreStory 9 of 52 /// Henry & Max
Your worlds spread out over two homes, two mothers, two languages, two countries, and two lives. You are brothers. Your dad’s world is a constant effort to foster permanence and security in your brotherhood. He is battling systems that were designed for families living in one home, with one set...Read moreStory 35 of 52 /// Family Rituals
I could tell by the look on my mom’s face that something terrible had happened. She looked as if she had been crying. She sat us down, and said: “Nan has passed away. It was unexpected, she never had any pain.” We last spoke three days ago. We last hugged...Read moreStory 32 of 52 /// Bittersweet
The coming six months we’ll be getting ready to go back home. My mom is stressing out already. My dad is wrapping up his project in three months, and most likely he’ll have to fly out to his new job for a few weeks already. We can’t leave yet, as...Read moreStory 22 of 52 /// It strangely felt like coming home
Moving to a new country was such a blessing for me. My parents never really made it explicit to me, but I was a gifted learner. And I was really bored in school. I was born while my parents were on assignment, I always identified myself as someone from another...Read moreFamily Adventures: Ensuring a Successful Pre-Assignment Trip Together
The decision is made, or it is close to being made. You are relocating internationally to take on a new position, and you are now in full preparation mode. There’s a mix of excitement and apprehension for what lies ahead. To help you prepare, your company has generously offered you...Read moreStory 8 of 52 /// The epitome of a Third Culture Kid
“I’m sitting here thinking that we have to rethink the way we look at this. This is how the world is turning. Instead of having to make a choice, why can’t she be both? Eileen Gu is living her best life. She loves both countries and feels just as American...Read more« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 Next »