Assessing multicultural competence (knowledge and awareness) in study abroad experiences |
| |
| Authors: | Victor W Harris Muthusami Kumaran Heidi Jones Harris Daniel Moen Brian Visconti |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA;2. Instructional Design and Technology, MS, Condordia University, Chicago, IL, USA;3. Family Consumer Science, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the study abroad experience on student multicultural competence (i.e. knowledge and awareness) using the Multicultural Counselling Knowledge and Awareness Scale in two study abroad programmes during four separate yearly excursions. The first study abroad programme incorporated cultural immersion and two courses taught over five weeks in Germany. The second five-week study abroad programme focused on exploring non-governmental organisations and development as well as multicultural competence in India. Effect size results indicate that both direct and indirect approaches to increasing multicultural competence can be effective in exposing students to diverse immersive multicultural perspectives, norms, rituals, and practices. |
| |
| Keywords: | Study abroad multicultural competence multiculturalism |
|
|
