The relationship between high school students' global competence and their attitudes towards immigrants

Migration, whether voluntary or forced, involves relocation for various reasons, requiring both the "host" and "newcomer" communities to possess global competencies for harmonious coexistence. The OECD included global competency as a focus area in the PISA 2018 framework; however, Turkiye did not participate in this assessment, and consequently, the global competency levels of 15-year-old high school students have not been studied. A review of existing research reveals that studies on attitudes toward immigrants have primarily been conducted with middle school or university students or adult groups. The lack of evaluation of high school students' attitudes highlights the necessity of this research.Since this study aims to determine the relationship between high school students' global competencies and their attitudes towards immigrants, it employs a quantitative research method using a correlational survey model. The study population consists of 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students enrolled in various types of formal high schools in İlkadım District of Samsun Province during the 2022–2023 academic year. Data collection tools included a personal information form and a scale designed to evaluate the relationship between high school students' global competencies and their attitudes towards immigrants. The study found that gender, communication with immigrants, parents' educational levels, and intentions to work abroad in the future significantly influenced students' attitudes toward immigrants. However, factors such as the presence of immigrants in their residential area, having relatives living abroad, and socioeconomic status did not affect their attitudes. High school students who showed interest in learning about other cultures, respected individuals from different cultural backgrounds, and considered themselves active in addressing global issues exhibited more positive attitudes toward immigrants. On the other hand, it was determined that global awareness, awareness of global issues, and intercultural communication awareness did not impact students' attitudes toward immigrants. It is recommended that future studies investigate the relationship between the global competencies of teachers, who have a significant influence on young people, and their attitudes toward immigrants, particularly in provinces with high immigrant populations.