Promoting the Development of Intercultural Competence in Higher Education Through Intercultural Learning Interventions: A Case Study of a Spanish University

Introduction. This article analyses the impact of an intercultural learning intervention in a Spanish university post European Higher Education Area implementation. Objective. The main objective of our research consisted in measuring the development of intercultural competence in a group of students, before and after taking specific courses in intercultural studies and spending a study abroad semester. Methodology. A mixed methods methodology was followed, in which the measuring instrument was the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). Additionally, in-depth personal interviews were conducted to complement the data obtained. Results. The results of this study show that the programming and sequencing of specific courses, together with experiences abroad, contribute to the development of intercultural competence. Conclusions. More intercultural learning interventions are needed in higher education courses in order to develop and build an intercultural campus and to educate global citizens. When applying intercultural learning interventions and intercultural methodologies, students develop their intercultural competence, a key competence for the 21st century graduates