| Title: |
Fostering Intercultural Competence through Virtual Exchange: Perspectives of Undergraduate Health Students |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Yolande Heymans (ORCID 0000-0003-4459-2266); Courtney Strosnider (ORCID 0009-0000-9897-0694); Jessica Pool (ORCID 0000-0002-6839-4419); Marieta Jansen Van Vuuren (ORCID 0009-0008-4400-3357) |
| Source: |
Open Praxis. 2024 16(2):119-129. |
| Availability: |
International Council for Open and Distance Education. Lilleakerveien 23, 0283 Oslo, Norway. Tel: +47-22-06-26-30; Fax: +47-22-06-26-31; e-mail: icde@icde.org; Web site: https://openpraxis.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
11 |
| Publication Date: |
2024 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Higher Education; Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
Undergraduate Students; Allied Health Occupations Education; Cultural Awareness; Student Attitudes; International Cooperation; Global Approach; Foreign Countries; Institutional Cooperation; Videoconferencing; Computer Mediated Communication; Educational Technology; Program Effectiveness |
| Geographic Terms: |
South Africa; Georgia (Atlanta) |
| ISSN: |
1369-9997; 2304-070X |
| Abstract: |
Globalization and the call for global citizenship education have enabled virtual exchange to prepare healthcare students as emerging healthcare professionals for working in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world. Integrating virtual exchange opportunities into undergraduate curricula in higher education equips students with the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed to be responsive to global healthcare challenges. This study reports on the perceptions of undergraduate healthcare students from geographically distant locations on how (if any) participating in an international virtual exchange project fostered their intercultural competence. Anchored in social constructivism and adopting a qualitative methodology, data was collected using an online, open-ended reflective questionnaire. Findings from the thematic analysis highlight that integrating virtual exchange into curriculum design can foster intercultural competence, preparing healthcare students as emerging professionals for the world of work that necessitates an appreciation for diverse ways of knowing, being, and doing to ensure optimal healthcare. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2024 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1427408 |
| Database: |
ERIC |