Proposal Title

LEARNING WHILE EXPERIENCING “CULTURE SHOCK” IN STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS

Track

Research Proposal / Assessment of Student Learning

Proposal Abstract

Few studies explore culture shock and the adjustment process of individuals engaged in short term study abroad programs. This project assessed student testimonials collected during a study abroad experience. Data analysis indicates that most participants experienced some form of culture shock during their 6.5 weeks abroad.

As instructors it is instrumental for the safety of our students to have some indication if the student is experiencing a true emotional emergency or just moving through a normal phase of adjustment while studying abroad. This session will demonstrate the learning challenges experienced by students and faculty in an unfamiliar cultural environment.

Proposal Description

Experiential learning—the process through which students develop knowledge, skills, and values from direct experiences outside of the traditional academic setting—is increasingly becoming a requirement on university campuses. Often, participation in international study programs meets this obligation. In general, study-abroad programs help participants to learn more about life within another culture, to reflect on the values and way of life in their own country, and to become more aware of their place in that country, and “its place in the world” (Dolby, 2004).

While study abroad programs can be exciting, culturally enlightening and academically stimulating they can, for some, be a stressful experience. Students have been known to become irritable, grow frustrated, experience disorientation, feel helpless and choose to withdraw. What may appear to the instructor to be an emotional emergency could be one of the five phases of “culture shock”. Culture shock can be seen as a clash between our own view of the world and our new cultural environment. It is often described as an adjustment cycle, one that helps students learn and grow from the experience.

Few studies explore culture shock and the adjustment process of individuals engaged in short term study abroad programs (Sussman, 2000). This project seeks to fill that void by analyzing student testimonials collected during a study abroad experience in London, England. Early data analysis indicates that most participants experienced some form of culture shock during their 6.5 weeks abroad.

As instructors it is instrumental for the safety of our students to have some indication if the student is experiencing a true emotional emergency or just moving through a normal phase of adjustment while studying abroad. This session will demonstrate the learning challenges experienced by students and faculty in an unfamiliar cultural environment.

Session Format

Presentation Session

Publication Type and Release Option

Event

Share

COinS
 

LEARNING WHILE EXPERIENCING “CULTURE SHOCK” IN STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS

Few studies explore culture shock and the adjustment process of individuals engaged in short term study abroad programs. This project assessed student testimonials collected during a study abroad experience. Data analysis indicates that most participants experienced some form of culture shock during their 6.5 weeks abroad.

As instructors it is instrumental for the safety of our students to have some indication if the student is experiencing a true emotional emergency or just moving through a normal phase of adjustment while studying abroad. This session will demonstrate the learning challenges experienced by students and faculty in an unfamiliar cultural environment.