Transitioning from Italy to the United States: Intercultural learning and living experience of two doctoral students

This cross-border narrative analyzes the intercultural perspectives of two doctoral students, one Chinese and the other Italian, who are international doctoral students conducting research in the United States. The first author is doing a doctorate in education in international adult and higher education, while the second author is undertaking a doctorate in adult and community education. Utilizing reflection rooted in Kolb’s (1984) model of experiential learning and adopting a collaborative autoethnography framework, the cross-border narrative seeks to draw comparisons between their respective intercultural learning and living experiences. It underscores the interconnectedness of these experiences despite their diverse cultural backgrounds. The reflection contributes to a better understanding of their varied intercultural experiences, leading to the conclusion that self-awareness is the initial step toward improving intercultural competence.