Open AccessHow Disorienting Experiences in Informal Learning Contexts Promote Cross-Cultural Awareness in Preservice Teachers: Findings From a Study Abroad Program
Author(s) -
Shubham Sharma,
Kadriye El-Atwani,
Jubin Rahatzad,
Jason Ware,
JoAnn Phillion,
Erik Malewski
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
learning landscapes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1913-5688
DOI - 10.36510/learnland.v5i2.566
Subject(s) - study abroad , pedagogy , phenomenology (philosophy) , cultural competence , psychology , hermeneutic phenomenology , cross cultural , intercultural learning , informal learning , teacher preparation , teacher education , mathematics education , sociology , lived experience , philosophy , epistemology , anthropology , psychoanalysis
In this study we discuss how disorienting experiences in informal learning contexts promote cross-cultural awareness in preservice teachers during a study abroad program to Honduras. We used interpretive phenomenology via semi-structured interviews to examine how nine preservice teachers made sense of their experiences studying abroad. We found that immersing preservice teachers in informal learning contexts and diverse cultural settings other than their own fosters new socio-cultural insights in relation to their roles as future educators.