scholarly journals Increasing Intercultural Competence in Undergraduate Education: Study Abroad is a Viable Way, but Not the Only Way

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 126-155
Author(s):  
Virginia B. (Ginger) Wickline ◽  
Allie M. Shea ◽  
Cheryl D. Young ◽  
Deborah Wiese
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
University Students ◽  
Nous Avons ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Undergraduate Education ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Study Abroad Programs ◽  
Premier Cycle ◽  
Campus Activities

Undergraduate students (N = 1,261) at a Midwest, public doctoral institution completed intercultural competence (ICC) measures before/after study abroad or an on-campus global course (G-Course). We hypothesized that students in study abroad versus on-campus global courses would differ in ICC both before/after their global experience. We predicted that students would increase in ICC after study abroad or a G-course (compared to their own pre-scores). We hypothesized that students who did not intend to study abroad would be lower in ICC than those who intended to study abroad, who would be lower than study abroad students. Lastly, we predicted that students who engaged more often in globally related extracurricular and co-curricular activities would report higher ICC. The data fully or partially supported each hypothesis: highlighting myriad factors impacting university students’ ICC scores both at home and abroad and revealing important differences between students who choose to study abroad and those who do not. Study abroad does appear to change some but not all aspects of ICC. A student self-selection bias might make ICC changes more difficult to document after study abroad programs. Moreover, on-campus activities are also related to ICC development for university students. When institutions of higher education are seeking to help develop ICC in their students, study abroad is not the only effective approach and should therefore be considered one important campus internationalization tool among many. Abstract in French   Les étudiants de premier cycle (N = 1261) dans un établissement doctoral public du Midwest ont suivi des mesures de compétence interculturelle (ICC) avant / après leurs études à l'étranger ou un cours global sur le campus (cours G). Nous avons émis l'hypothèse que les étudiants en études à l'étranger par rapport aux cours mondiaux sur le campus différeraient en ICC avant / après leur expérience globale. Nous avons prédit que les étudiants augmenteraient en ICC après des études à l'étranger ou un cours G (par rapport à leurs propres pré-scores). Nous avons émis l'hypothèse que les étudiants qui n'avaient pas l'intention d'étudier à l'étranger seraient plus bas en ICC que ceux qui avaient l'intention d'étudier à l'étranger, qui seraient inférieurs aux étudiants à l'étranger. Enfin, nous avons prédit que les étudiants qui s'engageaient plus souvent dans des activités parascolaires et parascolaires liées à l'échelle mondiale auraient un ICC plus élevé. Les données étayaient totalement ou partiellement chaque hypothèse: mettant en évidence une myriade de facteurs ayant un impact sur les scores ICC des étudiants universitaires tant au pays qu'à l'étranger et révélant des différences importantes entre les étudiants qui choisissent d'étudier à l'étranger et ceux qui ne le font pas. Les études à l'étranger semblent changer certains aspects de la CPI, mais pas tous. Un biais d'auto-sélection des étudiants peut rendre les changements ICC plus difficiles à documenter après des études à l'étranger. De plus, les activités sur le campus sont également liées au développement de l'ICC pour les étudiants universitaires. Lorsque les établissements d'enseignement supérieur cherchent à contribuer au développement de l'ICC chez leurs étudiants, étudier à l'étranger n'est pas la seule approche efficace et devrait donc être considéré comme un outil d'internationalisation de campus important parmi tant d'autres.

Describing Undergraduate Students' Intercultural Learning through Study Abroad in Terms of Their ‘Cultural Responsiveness'

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 29-38
Author(s):  
Susan Oguro ◽  
Angela Giovanangeli
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Undergraduate Student ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Cultural Responsiveness ◽  
International Exchange ◽  
Intercultural Learning ◽  
Study Abroad Programs ◽  
Exchange Programs ◽  
Exchange Program

Although student international exchange programs commonly claim to facilitate participants' intercultural competence, questions remain as to how this competence might be adequately and validly assessed. In this article, the notion of Cultural Responsiveness is used to assist in interpreting and categorizing students' experiences and intercultural learning through study abroad programs. Data on the Australian undergraduate student participants' unique backgrounds, experiences and perceptions was collected after they had completed an exchange program in Switzerland or France. Using the Cultural Responsiveness categorization developed through this study, three parameters of students' intercultural experiences emerged: Awareness, Engagement and Bringing Knowledge Home. Using these three parameters, this article proposes that the notion of Cultural Responsiveness provides a useful method for identification of students' responses to the experiences of study abroad programs.

Describing Undergraduate Students' Intercultural Learning Through Study Abroad in Terms of Their ‘Cultural Responsiveness'

2020 ◽  
pp. 1436-1446
Author(s):  
Susan Oguro ◽  
Angela Giovanangeli
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Undergraduate Student ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Cultural Responsiveness ◽  
International Exchange ◽  
Intercultural Learning ◽  
Study Abroad Programs ◽  
Exchange Programs ◽  
Exchange Program

Although student international exchange programs commonly claim to facilitate participants' intercultural competence, questions remain as to how this competence might be adequately and validly assessed. In this article, the notion of Cultural Responsiveness is used to assist in interpreting and categorizing students' experiences and intercultural learning through study abroad programs. Data on the Australian undergraduate student participants' unique backgrounds, experiences and perceptions was collected after they had completed an exchange program in Switzerland or France. Using the Cultural Responsiveness categorization developed through this study, three parameters of students' intercultural experiences emerged: Awareness, Engagement and Bringing Knowledge Home. Using these three parameters, this article proposes that the notion of Cultural Responsiveness provides a useful method for identification of students' responses to the experiences of study abroad programs.

Without Crossing a Border: Exploring the Impact of Shifting Study Abroad Online on Students’ Learning and Intercultural Competence Development during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingjie Liu ◽  
Thomas Shirley
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Cultural Exchange ◽  
Competence Development ◽  
Study Abroad Programs ◽  
Online Study ◽  
Curriculum Redesign ◽  
Online Format ◽  
The Impact

While all higher education was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, study abroad programs were uniquely challenged by the associated restrictions and limitations. This case study integrates a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) pedagogy approach and virtual reality (VR) technologies into the curriculum redesign process to transform a business study abroad course into an online format. Using VR technology, U.S. students and their international partners in Germany, Brazil, and India created and shared cultural exchange virtual tours. The redesigned online study abroad course engaged students in active learning activities and cultivated students’ intercultural competence development.

scholarly journals Talking with ‘Others’: Experiences and perspective transformation in a short-term study abroad program

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-60
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle S. Chiocca
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Transformative Learning ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Classroom Culture ◽  
Student Experiences ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Study Abroad Programs ◽  
Term Study ◽  
Multiple Data ◽  
Short Term Study

With the growth of short-term study abroad programs comes the need to develop impactful curricula and to provide supportive environments for deep learning abroad that is more than “upgraded” tourism but rather focused on educational outcomes. This qualitative case study investigates the experiences of five study abroad participants in Israel. Drawing from multiple data sources within an interpretive framework, the purpose of this study is to understand student experiences abroad. Data was analyzed inductively and thematically. Findings suggest that the holistic experience was anchored by (1) directed and diverse conversations, (2) hermeneutical reflections, (3) emotional disequilibrium, (4) intercultural competence development, and (5) student engagement in a classroom culture, which acted together as a gestalt. Results highlight the importance of dialogue, both with locals and within the classroom community, for transformative learning. These findings encourage international educators to provide instructional frames that encourage students to engage with local communities in critical ways.

Intervening in the intercultural learning of L2 study abroad students: From research to practice

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Intercultural Sensitivity ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Participation Rates ◽  
Intercultural Learning ◽  
Study Abroad Programs ◽  
Global Mindedness ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Asian Context ◽  
Contemporary Study

As internationalization efforts intensify, institutions of higher education (HE) across the globe are increasing participation rates in study abroad programs. In this paper I argue that international experience alone is often not enough to propel students to higher levels of second language (L2) proficiency, global-mindedness, and intercultural sensitivity. Challenging the ‘immersion assumption’, contemporary study abroad research findings point to the need for interventions to deepen and extend the language and intercultural learning of student sojourners. To optimize the potential of study abroad, it is imperative that more efforts be made to bridge the research–teaching nexus. To underscore this point, I offer examples of two courses for student sojourners that have been inspired by my own research. While both interventions were developed in an Asian context, the approach and methodology may resonate with educators and students in other regions.

Value Co-Creation in Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs

2016 ◽  
pp. 325-348
Author(s):  
Sven Tuzovic
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Resource Integration ◽  
Global Learning ◽  
Study Abroad Programs ◽  
Operant Resources ◽  
Value Realization ◽  
University Experience ◽  
The University

Study Abroad (SA) education has become an increasingly important educational program for teaching global learning and intercultural competence, maturity, and sensitivity of students. Since the price tag attached to SA programs can be daunting, the question arises how value can be defined and, more importantly, how value is created. Some scholars have used the principles of service-dominant logic proposed by Vargo and Lusch (2004) to suggest that students should be engaged as an active co-creator of the university experience. Utilizing a qualitative research approach this chapter proposes that the value process of SA programs consists of three stages: (1) value proposition and potential; (2) resource integration and value co-creation; and (3) value realization evaluation. This study identifies key roles of the participants and their operand and operant resources that guide the value co-creation process. The framework provides faculty with a way to understand, adapt, and manage resource integration and influence students' SA value realization processes.

Resistance to Information Literacy! Towards a Model of Information Literacy for Undergraduate Students: An Exploratory Study

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Lamoureux
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Undergraduate University Students ◽  
Premier Cycle

Research Roundtable: Undergraduate university students benefit from information literacy (IL) instructions and yet they resist learning IL. This research proposes to explore the factors responsible for students’ resistance to IL in order to create a conceptual model and to improve information literacy instruction.Tables rondes: Les étudiants universitaires de premier cycle tirent avantage de séances d’enseignement de la maîtrise de l’information et malgré tout, ils font preuve de résistance. Ce processus de recherche explore les facteurs responsables de la résistances des étudiants afin de créer un modèle conceptuel et d’améliorer l’enseignement de la maîtrise de l’information.

scholarly journals The Impact of Cultural Intelligence on University Students’ Intention to Study Abroad: The Role of Perceived Value

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khuc The Anh ◽  
Le Thi Thanh Dang ◽  
Nhu Vu Bich Ngoc ◽  
Ngo Thanh Dat ◽  
Tran Thi Ngoc Anh
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
University Students ◽  
Cultural Intelligence ◽  
Perceived Value ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Study Abroad Programs ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

This research aims to examine the relationship among cultural intelligence (CQ), perceived value (PV) and students’ intention to study abroad. By using data gathered in 739 university students, along with statistical analysis, the carrying out results show that there is a positive correlation between CQ and the intention to study abroad through the mediating role of PV. In particular, CQ and PV have positive influence on students’ intention to study abroad and CQ is an antecedent of PV. This study focuses on the influence of specific factors on the intention to study abroad. Meanwhile, this research contributes to the educational field CQ, which is a totally new factor in Vietnam. With a view to helping students in deciding to participate in study abroad programs and improving the quality of education, advice is given to students and related educational organizations.

scholarly journals Development and Validation of the Wesleyan Intercultural Competence Scale (WICS): A Tool for Measuring the Impact of Study Abroad Experiences

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Stemler ◽  
Toshie Imada ◽  
Carolyn Sorkin
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
External Validation ◽  
Developmental Theory ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Study Abroad Programs ◽  
Competence Scale ◽  
Study Abroad Program ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

One of the most frequently cited aims of higher education institutions is to help students develop intercultural competence. Study abroad programs are a primary vehicle for helping to achieve this goal; however, it has been difficult to quantify their impact as most existing measures of intercultural competence rely on subjective self-report methods that are easy to fake and that suffer from ceiling effects when attempting to measure change over time. Building on Bennett’s (1986) developmental theory, the current paper describes a new test–the Wesleyan Intercultural Competence Scale (WICS)–that uses a situational judgment testing approach to measure the development of intercultural competence within the context of a study-abroad experience. A total of 97 study-abroad students from Wesleyan took the WICSalong with eight external validation measures and a background questionnaire. Thirty participants took the test at two time points–once at the beginning of a study-abroad program and once at the end. The results indicate that the WICShad strong evidence in support of its content, construct, and criterion-related validity. In addition, the WICSwas capable of detecting changes in the development of intercultural competence over time in a way that none of the other validation measures were. The substantive findings revealed that the amount of time spent speaking the local language and the number of different situations experienced were strong predictors of the development of intercultural competence. Implications and future directions are discussed.

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