| This study investigates the intersection between academics and culture in international branch campus using Stier's (2006) cross-cultural characteristics and competencies. The purpose of this study was to examine the type of cross-cultural training being used by the international branch campuses in Qatar's Education City, in particular the form, function, and goals of the training, and the effect that participating in cross-cultural training may have on the classroom experiences of Western expatriate faculty teaching in an international branch campus. This multiple-case study drew upon qualitative research methods, including ethnographic interviews with expatriate Western faculty and staff, to analyze how incoming Western faculty are trained to work with students from Middle Eastern, Arab, or Islamic cultures. Findings revealed the presence of both formal and informal types of cross-cultural training, with informal cross-cultural training, in the form of conversations and interactions with colleagues, serving as a key component to cultural competence and professional success. Closer examination of the cross-cultural training employed in Qatar's Education City reveals the development of skills, competencies, and perspectives that are most often applied in classroom settings and situations. The research suggests that cross-cultural training plays a significant role in the effectiveness of individual professors as well as the success of universities looking to expand academic programs to areas of the Middle East. |
