A Cultural Scavenger Hunt: Tools of Engagement

Abstract

The authors describe the use of a cultural scavenger hunt to engage visiting students in cultural conversations within a short-term study-abroad course in the Caribbean. Students from a host university developed questions designed to engage visiting students in dialog with local residents and encouraged the students to return with artifacts and answers to questions. The authors outline how they developed the scavenger hunt, the activities it required of the students, and possible variations for use in other settings. Students reported that the scavenger hunt helped them develop an appreciation for cultural diversity.

Short-Term Study Abroad in Psychology: Effects of a Cultural Scavenger Hunt on the Development of Intercultural Competence

“…Similar to prior research utilizing cultural scavenger hunts (Doyle et al, 2004; Wesp & Baumann, 2012), our results are promising. Both studies reported in this article yielded exclusively positive results with different samples and using different measures.…”

“…Overall, the current findings align with prior research on cultural scavenger hunts (Doyle et al, 2004; Wesp & Baumann, 2012) as an efficient and enjoyable way to encourage students to interact with diverse individuals and immerse themselves in the local culture. As programs look to internationalize their psychology curriculum and introduce high-impact practices (Brownell & Swanner, 2009; Kuh, 2008) like study abroad to their offerings, faculty are encouraged to be mindful of the intentional pedagogy of intercultural competence that should occur for students to fully benefit from their study abroad experience.…”

“…The immersion process is also facilitated by having local university students and faculty serve as guides (and possibly interpreters) during the activity. Previously published studies have examined the use of a cultural scavenger hunt during study abroad programs in psychology (e.g., Wesp & Baumann, 2012) and business (e.g., Doyle et al, 2004).…”

“…Additionally, the authors of the current study sought to design a less time consuming and challenging scavenger hunt than implemented in previous studies while still maintaining the most vital cultural components. Based on previous research (Doyle et al, 2004; Wesp & Baumann, 2012), the authors hypothesized that participating in a short-term study abroad program that incorporates a cultural scavenger hunt would increase participants’ intercultural competence.…”

“…A possible explanation for these conflicting findings is the degree to which the study abroad programs immerse their students into the culture of the foreign nation. Research suggests that intercultural competence is most positively influenced when students are actively engaged with elements of the culture rather than just being exposed to a culturally diverse setting (Pederson, 2009; Wesp & Baumann, 2012). One mechanism through which students can become immersed in the local culture—and more actively engaged in the study abroad experience—is participating in a cultural scavenger hunt.…”