Chapter 1: Introduction

The aim of this book is to present intercultural autoethnographies of Gen Z individuals’ cultural and intercultural experiences in South African society from a variety of sociocultural, economic, political and societal perspectives. The various chapters provide insight into the lives of young adults in South Africa in the 21st century who come from different sociocultural backgrounds, contexts and perspectives. The authors describe selected aspects and experiences of their lives with special regard to cultural and intercultural impacts, behaviours and emotions.

In this introductory chapter, the editors touch on the topics of autoethnography, the process of autoethnography and its cultural and intercultural aspects. A short introduction to the South African cultural context is provided.