Exploring the Effects of a Cross-Cultural Service-Learning Program on Intercultural Competence

Exploring the Effects of a Cross-cultural Service-Learning Program on Intercultural Competence of Participants

Wang Xin

AnhuiUniversity of FinanceEconomics, China

Abstract

Background:Service-learning as a pedagogy and curricular consideration to revitalize undergraduate education has been flourishing in the Asia-Pacific Region for years. The W. T. Chan Fellowship Program is designed as an intercultural service-learning program, with the fellows coming from China and Hong Kong, to experience service-learning in the United States.

Aims:This study investigates the effects of service-learning international program on intercultural competence of participants, using a pre-test and post-test approach.

Sample:All twelve fellows involved in the W.T. Chan Fellowship Program

Method:Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory (CCAI) was utilized to measure intercultural competence of participants. The CCAI scores of the participants were compared prior to and after the program to measure any change during the period.

Results:The results using a t-test analysis indicated thatstudents who participated in the W.T. Chan Fellowship program showed a significant increase in total score of CCAI as well as in each dimension after completion the program. Data analysis also revealed that participants without previous intercultural experience gained significantly more in the dimension of emotional resiliency than those who had.

Conclusion: As an intercultural service-learning program, participants can develop international competency, particularly in the areas of Emotional Resilience,Flexibility/ Openness, Perceptual Acuity, Personal Autonomy. The findings of this study can assist international educators to design more effective education programs that would aid students in attaining the desired knowledge, skills and competencies.

Keywords: Intercultural competence, Service-learning program, Cross-cultural adaptability

探索国际服务学习项目对参与者跨文化能力的培养

摘要

背景：近年来，服务学习作为教学法和课程设计的考虑正为亚太地区本科教育注入新的活力，并逐渐推广。陈氏学者计划是一项跨文化服务学习项目，为来自中国香港和内地地区的学者们提供在美国服务学习的机会。

目的：本文旨在通过前测和后测的方法来研究国际服务学习项目对参与者的跨文化能力的影响作用。

调查对象：十二位参加陈氏学者计划的学者。

调查方法：本文采用了跨文化适应力目录（CCAI）作为衡量跨文化能力的工具。学者们在参加此项目期间的CCAI得分将会被比较分析是否发生变化。

调查结果：利用T检验分析得出的结果显示参加陈氏学者计划的学者们在项目结束时在CCAI总分及各领域单项分值上显示出显著的增加。数据分析同时也揭示了那些过去没有跨文化经历的学者们比有跨文化经历的学者在情感适应性方面有较大的提高。

结论：学者在参加文化服务学习的项目中，跨文化能力得到了极大地提升，尤其在情感适应性，灵活性/开放性，认知敏锐性和个人独立性。本文的研究结论能为教育工作者提供一些参考以期设计出更有效的服务学习项目扩展参与者的知识，提升其技巧和能力。

关键词：跨文化能力，服务学习项目，文化适应力

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Author

Wang Xin is lecturer of at the AnhuiUniversity of Finance& Economics. She obtained her master degree in International Business from University of Newcastle. Her Professional Interests are International Business and Cross-Cultural Education.

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Received: 19.10.11, accepted 23.11.11, revised 30.11.11, further revised 17.12.11