Cross-Cultural Pedagogy: Practical Strategies for a Successful Interprofessional Study Abroad Course

Main Article Content

Jieru Bai
Susan Larimer
Mary E Riner

Abstract

This article discusses some practical strategies for designing and implementing a cross-cultural interprofessional study abroad course, including pre-departure preparation, facilitating small groups with local students, establishing a weekly theme, utilizing role-play and reflective assignments, and implementing meaningful evaluation strategies. These strategies were based on three years of experience and were found to effectively increase students’ cultural competence and self-confidence, as evidenced by student evaluations and results from a focus group conducted one year after the course. Short term study abroad courses with appropriate pedagogical design are significant strategies for health profession programs in the face of growing diversity and globalization.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

How to Cite
Bai, J., Larimer, S., & Riner, M. E. (2016). Cross-Cultural Pedagogy: Practical Strategies for a Successful Interprofessional Study Abroad Course. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 16(3), 72–81. https://doi.org/10.14434/josotl.v16i3.19332
Section
Articles

References

Abram, F.Y., & Cruce, A. (2007). A reconceptualization of ‘reverse mission’ for international social work education and practice. Social Work Education, 26, 3-19.

Ash, S.L., & Clayton, P.H. (2004). The articulated learning: An approach to guided reflection and assessment. Innovative Higher Education; 29, 137-154.

Blatner, A. (2009). Role plan in education. Retrieved September 2015, from http://www.blatner.com/adam/pdntbk/rlplayedu.htm

Corda, K.W. (2007). Reflections on a mini-mester abroad. Proceedings of the 2007 Commission on International Adult Education Pre-Conference (pp. 17-24). Norfolk: The Association of Adult and Continuing Education.

Dwyer, M. M. (2004). More is better: The impact of study abroad program duration. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10, 151-163.

Finn, J., & Jacobson, M. (2003). Just practice: A social justice approach to social work. Peosta, IA: Eddie Bowen Publishers.

Institute for International Education (2009). Open doors report on international education exchange. Retrieved from http://opendoors.iienetwork.org/

Jakubowski, L.M. (2003). Beyond book learning: Cultivating the pedagogy of experience through field trips. The Journal of Experiential Education, 26(1), 24-33.

Moorhead, B., Boetto, H., & Bell, K. (2014). India and US: Student development of professional social work identity through a term study abroad program. Social Work Education, 33(4), 175-189.

National Association of Social Workers. (2001). NASW Standards for cultural competence in social work practice 2001. Retrieved September 2010, from http://www.naswdc.org/practice/standards/NASWCulturalStandards.pdf

Spencer, S.E., & Tuma, K. (Eds.). (2002). The guide to successful short-term programs abroad. NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

Velure Roholt, R., & Fisher, C. (2013). Expect the unexpected: International short-term study course pedagogies and practices. Journal of Social Work Education, 49(1), 48-65.

Witt, J., Bissonnette, C., & Power, M.E. (2015). Student feedback from beginning to end: A new course evaluation model. Retrieved from http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/wcse/WCSEFifteen/thur_july_9/19/