Virtually There: Examining the Use of Pre-Departure Virtual Exchange as a Means Toward Building Study Abroad Students' Intercultural Awareness

Authors

  • Carrie Prior Wojenski University at Albany, State University of New York Author

Keywords:

virtual exchange, collaborative online international learning, intercultural awareness, study abroad, Community of Inquiry, Intercultural Development Inventory®

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing the intercultural development of U.S. and international study abroad students and their experiences in a collaborative online international learning pre-departure study abroad intervention. Garrison, Anderson, and Archer’s (2000) Community of Inquiry model influenced the seminar design and data analysis. Data gathered included scores from Intercultural Development Inventories (IDI®), the Community of Inquiry framework, and a phenomenological review of participants’ text. This research demonstrated several technical and social challenges of building a virtual exchange Community of Inquiry and how a redesign of the intervention can influence outcomes.

Published

2024-04-25