A phenomenology: cultural transplantation of Euro-Canadian exchange students, its value and influencing factors
Date
2002
Authors
Kim, Eunah
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Abstract
International exchange at post-secondary educations is often helpful to expand participant understanding of different ethnic groups and cultures. However, despite an emphasis on multicultural education in Canadian society, little research has investigated how Canadians experience international exchange. This study explored Canadian perspectives on exchange experiences through a qualitative methodology. Considering that perceptions of a minority are often different from that of the majority in a society, this study recruited Euro Canadians, the ethnic majority of Canada. and reports objectively the results of in-depth interviews, including a statement regarding researcher positioning. Results include: (1) Cultural transplantation is multidirectional; (2) Cross-cultural experiences are the result of interactions between a person, a host community and a culture; (3) White ethnicity and the ability to speak English positively contribute to Euro Canadians' experiences in Asia; (4) The value of cross-cultural experiences lies not in academic improvement, but in increased empathy and a newly gained dimension of life. The relevance of these results to exchange programs is discussed.