EFL Students’ Experience in the IVEProject: A Narrative Inquiry Into Intercultural Communication
This study explores the experiences of Indonesian EFL students participating in the International Virtual Exchange (IVE) Project, focusing on how intercultural communication is developed through online global interaction. Using a narrative inquiry approach, the research investigates three main questions: (1) What are the experiences of Indonesian EFL students in participating in the IVE Project? (2) How do these experiences contribute to the development of students’ intercultural communication skills? and (3) What challenges do students face during intercultural interactions, and what strategies do they use to overcome them? Data will be collected through reflective journals, semi-structured interviews, and students’ online discussion logs to capture personal narratives and intercultural engagement. Preliminary findings are expected to reveal that participation in the IVE Project enhances students’ intercultural awareness, language confidence, and global communication competence. Students are likely to demonstrate growth in understanding cultural diversity, empathy, and openness toward different perspectives. However, challenges such as language barriers, differing communication styles, and limited digital literacy may emerge during the exchange. To address these, students are expected to employ strategies such as peer collaboration, self-reflection, and the use of translation or digital tools to facilitate effective interaction. Overall, this research aims to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on virtual intercultural learning in EFL contexts, highlighting how digital exchange projects can foster meaningful global connections and support the development of 21st-century communication skills among language learners.