ISL+-+The+need+for+cultural+preparation

Download a PDF of this page **International service-learning: The need for cultural preparation ** Phillip Motley, Assistant Professor, Elon University [pmotley@elon.edu]

Amanda Sturgill, Associate Professor, Elon University [asturgill@elon.edu]

Ananda Mitra, Chair, Communications, Wake Forest University [ananda@wfu.edu]


 * Keywords:** Intercultural competence, international service-learning, cultural preparation, international partnerships


 * Track:** Global community engagement and comparative studies


 * Format:** Symposium

This symposium will utilize an expert panel of Professor Amanda Mitra, Associate Professor Amanda Sturgill, and Assistant Professor Phillip Motley and facilitated by Kristin Moretti (Office of Leadership and Service-Learning, University of North Carolina-Greensboro) to explore strategies that can be implemented at a home institution prior to an international service-learning project so that students will gain the most benefit from the experience. In the context of a service-learning course, preparation means getting ready for the project; understanding the project goals; becoming familiar with the community partner’s needs; acquiring knowledge of appropriate tools, techniques, or technologies; and getting ready to work within the community partner’s environment (Mak, Watson, & Hadden, 2011). When students work with other populations, they also need guidance to recognize that the culture is a significant factor, to learn the ways culture is important, and to develop behaviors and strategies for navigating across cultural differences (Galiardi & Cohen, 2011). Because intercultural competence focuses on understanding rather than judgment, adequate preparation can help students appreciate ways their work is being done in partnership with the community rather than as a service or act of charity.
 * Summary**

Our work suggests that students who grasp the nuances of the cultural domain in which they work tend to produce better results for both the course and community partner. We will describe activities that we have successfully designed and implemented for students participating in service-learning projects in Africa, Central America, and Asia. A variety of expert experiences will be drawn upon to demonstrate effective strategies and approaches for cultural and service preparation.

Galiardi, S., & Koehn, J. (2011). Strategies to mitigate the negative and accentuate the positive impacts of international service-learning on host communities. //Partnerships: A Journal of Service-Learning and Civic Engagement, 2//(1), 1-12.
 * References**

Mak, D. B., Watson, R., & Hadden, J. (2011). Preparing medical students to undertake a cultural immersion experience: Introducing frameworks for preparatory and post-immersion activities. //International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 5//(1).

Mather, P. C., Karbley, M., & Yamamoto, M. (2012). Identity matters in a short-term, international service-learning program. //Journal of College and Character, 13//(1), 1-14.

Urraca, B., Ledoux, M., & Harris, J. T. (2009). Beyond the comfort zone: Lessons of intercultural service. //The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas,// //82//(6), 281-289.


 * To access materials from this session please click on the file link(s) below:**

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