Fostering empathic connections between domestic students and international students in Canada via expressions of hope

Studying abroad provides opportunities for personal and professional growth, but it also presents challenges, especially in regards to language barriers and cultural differences. These challenges may complicate cross-cultural transitions for international students, leading to feelings of social isolation. To address these difficulties, the present study examines the potential of hope-based dialogues as a way to bridge these gaps, fostering intercultural understanding, empathy, and stronger connections between international and domestic students in Canada. Grounded in positive psychology, the current research emphasizes the role of hope, in particular, other-oriented hope, in promoting empathic intercultural connections. Specifically, this study examines whether dialogues centered on shared experiences of cross-cultural adjustment can deepen the understanding and connections between students from different cultural backgrounds. Twelve international students and 11 domestic students from a Western Canadian university participated in a two-session interactive workshop, during which they engaged in a series of activities designed to elicit hope-based conversations related to their study abroad experiences. Thematic analysis revealed that these dialogues effectively fostered empathy and facilitated meaningful connections that transcended cultural boundaries. The participants’ shared experiences of cross-cultural challenges, which highlighted common struggles, and thereby enhanced mutual understanding. Further, shared aspirations sparked expressions of other-oriented hope - hopes for the success and well-being of others, which further strengthened these connections. Together, the findings underscore the potential of hope-based dialogues to promote positive intercultural interactions, suggesting that integrating such conversations into university support programs and broader intercultural contexts, such as immigrant services, can enhance social integration and foster community building.