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Exploring research cultures through internationalization at home for doctoral students in Hong Kong and Sweden
Author(s) -
Leung Doris,
Carlson Elisabeth,
Kwong Enid E.Y.,
Idvall Ewa,
Kumlien Christine
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
nursing and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.563
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1442-2018
pISSN - 1441-0745
DOI - 10.1111/nhs.12369
Subject(s) - internationalization , nature versus nurture , friendship , perception , study abroad , qualitative research , psychology , cultural diversity , pedagogy , international education , medical education , higher education , sociology , medicine , political science , social psychology , social science , neuroscience , anthropology , law , economics , microeconomics
Cultural skills are fundamental to developing global academic scholars. Internationalization at home can facilitate the acquisition of these skills without students having to go abroad. However, research on the effect of internationalization of higher education is scarce, despite apparent benefits to incorporating cultural sensitivity in research. Further, little is known about the role information and communication technology plays. In this pilot study, we describe the experience of doctoral students with an internationalization‐at‐home program, and its impact on developing an understanding about different research cultures. Eight doctoral nursing students from Sweden and Hong Kong participated in five webinars as “critical friends”. The study followed a descriptive, qualitative design. The results demonstrated that students observed cultural differences in others' research training programs. However, while cultural differences reinforced friendship among local peers, they challenged engagement with critical friends. Challenges led to the perception of one another not as critical friends but as “distant” friends. We discuss the possible reasons for these outcomes, and emphasize a need to nurture connectivity and common goals. This would prepare students to identify, translate, and recognize cultural differences to help develop knowledge of diverse research cultures.