Development of Identity and Tolerance in Foreign University Students

Abstract

This article introduces the theoretical and methodological foundations for studying the development of identity and tolerance in foreign university students. The research featured the organization of the educational process that encourages the development of personality identity and tolerance in foreign students. The authors defined the main directions and approaches to the problem of identity and tolerance development as a set of skills. The article describes the identity and tolerance profile of foreign students that study at Russian universities. The author proved that tolerance developed under the effect of national, cultural, and religious factors, as new sociocultural environment affected the personal characteristics of foreign students. The results were both positive and negative, thus forming both tolerant and intolerant attitudes. Subsequently, the personality profile of foreign students demonstrated a combination of tolerant and intolerant traits. The levels of ethnic nihilism and egoism were low; so were the levels of ethnic isolationism and fanaticism. The level of ethnic and social tolerance appeared average. The ethnic indifference and communicative tolerance were also at an average level. However, the level of positive ethnic identity was high. The research revealed a link between tolerance and ethnic identity in foreign students. The results can help to organize the development of identity and tolerance in foreign students.