Redefinition of intercultural communication competence: Navigating towards an inclusive framework for coexistence in maritime education in Turkey

Educational Research & Implementation, cilt.2, sa.2, ss.93-98, 2025 (Hakemli Dergi)

Maritime education and training serve as a fundamental pillar of the global maritime sector

through the cultivation of competent professionals equipped to manage the evolving and

increasingly intricate challenges of modern maritime operations. Given the continuing conceptual

confusion surrounding the definition of intercultural communication competence (ICC), it was

aimed with this study to trace the conceptual framework of ICC drawing on the perspectives of

learners-students as future intercultural mediators and speakers from Maritime Higher Vocational

School in Turkey. As a qualitative research method, a case study design was employed.

Participants, selected through criterion sampling, consisted of students enrolled in an associate

degree program of Maritime Transportation and Management, and Ship Machinery Management.

Data obtained from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using content analysis. So, ICC was

framed as a political initiative to promote intercultural dialogue, collaboration, and coexistence

among diverse cultures, thereby fostering peaceful unity in navigating multicultural contexts.

Therefore, preparing future navigators for their expected roles as intercultural speakers, mediators

and negotiators is of paramount importance. Consequently, by reframing ICC as a tool for inclusive

coexistence, potential challenges related to its implementation require meticulous consideration

within the prevailing power dynamics, and warrant further examination.