ERIC Number: EJ970184
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Aug
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0741-7136
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Exploring the Unknown: International Service and Individual Transformation
Chang, Wei-Wen; Chen, Cheng-Hui Lucy; Huang, Yu-Fu; Yuan, Yu-Hsi
Adult Education Quarterly: A Journal of Research and Theory, v62 n3 p230-251 Aug 2012
Empirical studies have found that participation in international service increases learners' intercultural competence, language skills, appreciation of cultural differences, and tolerance for ambiguity. While previous studies suggest that international service experience is potentially transformative in nature, the present study examined international service experience and explored the factors that encourage transformation. Based on transformative learning and social psychology, the theoretical framework of the present study included three perspectives: environment-person interaction, schema adjustment, and the Johari Window. Data were obtained from 10 international service participants by observation, semistructured interviews, and written documents. Analysis of the data identified three components that enhanced transformation through environment-person interaction in cross-cultural settings: exploring the unknown world, relearning from the basic levels, and the unknown self revealed. (Contains 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Service Learning, International Programs, Transformative Learning, Social Psychology, Time Perspective, Interaction, Intercultural Communication, Interpersonal Competence, Language Skills, Cultural Awareness, Cultural Differences, Self Concept, Schemata (Cognition), Adjustment (to Environment), Ambiguity (Context), Foreign Countries, Semi Structured Interviews, Content Analysis, Documentation, Participant Observation, Social Networks, World Views, Attitude Change
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Belgium; Brazil; Germany; Iceland; Panama; Taiwan; Thailand; United Kingdom (England)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A