Impact of International Service-Learning on Students’ Global Citizenship and Intercultural Effectiveness Development

Abstract

International service-learning (ISL) is conceptualized as an intersection of three educational components: service-learning, study abroad, and international education. Its potential benefits include increases in students’ intercultural competence and sense of global citizenship. Arguably, through immersion in a cross-cultural context, students can learn to appreciate diverse values and cultures while enhancing their social responsibility and bringing benefit to a community in need. However, most existing empirical studies of the impact of ISL utilize small samples drawn from a single program, which restricts the generalizability of the findings. This study, using a large sample from multiple courses, aims to bridge the gap by examining the relationship between an ISL experience and university students’ global citizenship and intercultural effectiveness. The findings suggest that skills such as intercultural effectiveness and global competencies are more easily enhanced than attitudinal values such as social responsibility and global civic engagement. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Fostering integration among students with different backgrounds using an orthotic community service program

“…28,29 The study findings also demonstrated that the international service-learning programs are potentially beneficial to the development of intercultural competence by virtue of their immersive nature which facilitates the intercultural interaction; this is the fact that could not be replicated in classrooms and the formal curricular programs. 13 Service learning is also beneficial to students because many employers seek for generic competencies in employees including communication skills, attitude, team working, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, 27 and this was the item admitted by Hong Kong and American students during the group interviews.…”

“…[10][11][12] As compared with the conventional service-learning programs, international service learning sets the target of the activity beyond national/regional boundaries and aimed on more international aspects including the intercultural awareness and sensitivity, intercultural competencies, and global citizenship development. 13 It has been applied to disciplines of business, social sciences, law, engineering, etc., 7,8,[14][15][16] while there are limited resources regarding the prosthetics and orthotics (P&O). [17][18][19] Prosthetics and orthotics is an important part of the health care sector for people with disabilities or functional impairments; therefore, it is necessary to enhance P&O students' internationalization education.…”

“…20 The literature showed that international service-learning programs and trips boost up the learning outcomes that students can benefit in moral, professional, and work-related development, improvement of cultural awareness, and awareness on social responsibilities. 13 Intercultural competence as a critical subdomain of global citizenship is an attribute which comprises the cultural self-awareness, deep knowledge and understanding of values and behaviors of people with cultural diversity, ability to behave appropriately, and communicate effectively while interacting with culturally diverse others. It encompasses cultural knowledge, receptive attitude, and relevant skills on how to implement the perceived knowledge and attitude in relevant intercultural settings.…”

“…It encompasses cultural knowledge, receptive attitude, and relevant skills on how to implement the perceived knowledge and attitude in relevant intercultural settings. 13 It can be further developed if the person cordially expresses the interest and adapts a behavior to cross bridge the cultural differences. 21 Service learning as a teaching and learning approach encapsulating the academic study and community service 22 could improve the awareness on cultural differences and sensitivity to diversity through positive interaction with diverse people.…”

“…20 The literature showed that international service-learning programs and trips boost up the learning outcomes that students can benefit in moral, professional, and work-related development, improvement of cultural awareness, and awareness on social responsibilities. 13…”