Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of online intercultural exchange (OIE) to mediate a cross-cultural project with pre-service teachers in two countries. Design/methodology/approach: Using a population of convenience, students from one American and one German university were assigned to mixed multi-cultural project…

In recent years, countries around the world have promoted international experiences for student teachers' development of the knowledge and skills necessary in these interdependent and global times. Using a rigorous qualitative approach, this study explored 10 Turkish student teachers' international opportunities in several European countries…

This article focuses on how to teach intercultural communicative competence to learners of English as a foreign language enrolled in a university exchange program in Europe, and help them become "intercultural speakers." The intercultural speaker can be defined as an intermediary between his or her own culture and the other's culture.…

Cross-cultural orientation programs are generally intended to help sojourners in countries with cultures that are different from their own to make practical preparations for living abroad; communicate with people in the host country; avoid social errors; refrain from judging the host culture against their own cultural norms; and cope with culture…

Canada World Youth enables young Canadians to live in another part of Canada with youths from a developing country for several months while volunteering in community projects. Then they move as a group to the partner country for several months where the program structure is the same. Participants acquire the skills and values necessary to…

Describes participation in a faculty exchange program between universities in the United States and South Africa. Provides the academic context of these experiences while discussing collectivism and courage. Argues that such exchange programs increase self-awareness and heighten psychologists' perspective taking, empathy, perceptual flexibility,…

The International Communication Agency (ICA) was created in April 1978 to help facilitate relations between the United States and other nations. Its main function is to enrich the supplies of information among peoples in order to enhance understanding. An examination of the international context in which the ICA will operate reveals the urgent…

This paper presents two proposals for improving programs that prepare groups for an intercultural experience. The paper should be helpful to instructors who train foreign service personnel, technical advisors, Peace Corps volunteers, and missionaries. First, instructors should make participants in a training program aware of the severe limitations…

Volunteering is defined and discussed, and the new volunteer on the international scene, the "citizen diplomat," is profiled. The National Council for Community Services to International Visitors (CONSERV), a national program that coordinates services at the community level with national "sending" agencies, is described. (MLW)

To develop a world view with lasting substance, social studies teachers must take advantage of opportunities to engage in international experiences and to bring other nationals to the classroom. Resources that are available to assist the teacher in this effort are described. (RM)

Introducing preschool-age children to people of diverse ethnic/racial backgrounds and cultural practices is becoming one of the central features of early educational programming. This study used a pre-test post-test design with a control to assess such an educational intervention aimed at positively influencing American preschoolers' attitudes…

The paper questions whether educational and cultural activities sponsored by the United States government should be aimed at foreign policy objectives or should be treated as ends in themselves. Arguments are presented by political leaders, educators, and government officials in favor of and against cultural exchange as a form of foreign policy…

Exchange programs of a month or less are unlikely to have many of the positive outcomes of more extended intercultural experiences. Worse, very short exchange programs (VSPs) may even have some undesirable outcomes. Positive outcomes not attainable through VSPs are: (1) development of long-lasting positive relationships and attitudes toward the…