Abstract
Intercultural communication is increasing globally, as well as in post-apartheid South African contexts. Intercultural human interaction is often experienced as critical when dissimilarities between cultures occur. These experiences are opportunities for inner growth and empowerment when reflected upon. The study uses a qualitative research design, following an interpretative hermeneutical case study approach, exploring the in-depth experiences of four women in the South African context through autoethnographic accounts. The authors present their personal intercultural experiences as women in South Africa. The sample consists of five South African women between 24 and 28 years of age, who belong to different culture and language groups in South African society. They present selected intercultural critical incidents (CIs) which they have experienced. Data are analysed, interpreted and reported in a qualitative reporting style. Please add findings. The conclusions respond to the research question of how women in South Africa of different cultural origins experience intercultural CIs and how they transform their experiences into women’s empowerment and growth. Recommendations for future research and practice in the field of women’s empowerment are given.
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Acknowledgement
We would like to thank all master’s students who have kindly participated in the study and who have reflected on and discussed their CIs. Additional thanks go to Mrs. Ruth Coetzee for the language editing of this chapter.
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Mayer, CH., Jacobs, A., Malesa, M., Meiring, J., Victor, B. (2023). Transforming Intercultural Critical Incidents of Women Into Transcultural and Transcendental Growth Experiences. In: Mayer, CH., et al. Women's Empowerment for a Sustainable Future. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25924-1_3
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