2016 Annual Conference

Presenters analyzed cross-cultural and intrapersonal learning in a short-term international study tour and its impact on graduate adult education students’ understandings about knowledge, reflection, and adult education practice. Participants will be encouraged to share reflections of personal experiences with field studies at the graduate level.

Target audience will include instructors, adult education graduate program coordinators, higher education administration, and graduate students interested in the impact of reflecting on short-term international field study experiences. Those interested in participating or facilitating a similar field study can benefit from learning about designing for international cross-cultural learning and instruction, as well as reflection on self, knowledge, and international experiences necessary for adult education practice and instructional leadership in the current era.

Short-term international study opportunities have become the most common type of study abroad experience for graduate students, yet research regarding such experience is scarce (Donneley-Smith, 2009). The literature suggests adult educators and students must reflect deeply on their experiences and consider how international, cross-cultural adult education and exposure to a different culture can impact their future practice as adult educators and lifelong learners (Coryell, 2013, 2014).
We conducted a literature review regarding reflection on international field study experiences and then analyzed our personal learning and experiences and that of our classmates who enrolled in a study tour to the University of Padova, Italy. Two doctoral students, two master’s students and the accompanying professor will share the findings of their research on this 10-day field study program. Data were collected through students’ blogs before, during, and after the trip. The analysis of the blogs allowed for examination of students’ reflective processes and the impact the program had in how they intend to apply what they learned to future adult education practice. The discussion will offer learning activities, the research methodology and findings, and then an invitation to session participants to reflect on their own experiences and aspirations.