The impact of exposure to Arab music on the cultural perspectives of international students based in the United Kingdom: An analysis

Abstract

The promotion of cross-cultural understanding and dialogue is a crucial aspect in fostering respect and tolerance among the diverse peoples of the world, with exposure to the music of a culture a useful mechanism to achieve these ends. However, while Arab music represents a window into Arab civilization, which could be used as an effective tool for cultural diplomacy, we do not know much about how exposure to Arab music therefore impacts on the perspectives of international students based in the United Kingdom. This is the research gap therefore this study addresses. A structured questionnaire was designed and applied to a sample population of 141 international students, with the results then analyzed in light of findings from other research. The collected data demonstrated that Arab music can be an effective tool for cultural diplomacy, with respondents who were exposed more frequently generally reporting more significant impacts on their cultural perceptions. By showing in research the value of exposure as a mean of facilitating improved cultural understanding, this can in turn provide an extra impetus to undertake such actions in practice.