Abstract:
Cross-cultural competence (CCC) and sensitivity to the nuances of an exceedingly interconnected world have
become extremely imperative in successful professional and social interaction. Competing in the global arena requires the
higher education system to train their graduates appropriately for the global workforce and groom them as effective university
ambassadors. Considering the increasing importance of CCC, this paper aims at analyzing the existing intercultural awareness
among the Indian undergraduate students and attempts to gauge the level of understanding that they possess. For this, a
questionnaire has been administered on 226 students. The results of the survey have provided an insight into the existing
presence of cross-cultural knowledge and the impact of educational initiatives that have helped students acquire cross-cultural
competence. The working paper also highlights how apart from sensitizing students towards varying norms and practices, the
suggested educational ventures may arouse curiosity about other cultures, prevent cultural shocks and make the students better
team players and leaders, thus paving way for sound professional readiness.