ABSTRACT
Internationalization in the education sector is the trend at present. However, for an Exchange student who has grown up using a native tongue as a primary language, studying in an international school with English as a medium of instruction can be both a fulfilling and challenging learning experience. The study aimed to explore on the lived experiences of students in the Exchange Study Program on having a foreigner as a teacher with a Grand Tour question: “What are the lived experiences of exchange students on having a foreign teacher?” Descriptive Phenomenology is the Research Design of this study where 15 nursing students consented to participate in a recorded interview via Focus Group Discussion. An Interview Guide Questionnaire with Open-ended questions was used as research instrument. Colaizzi’s method of data analysis was employed. After transcribing, coding, categorization the following major emergent themes were identified: 1) Competent Teacher; 2) Communication Skills; 3) Cultural exchange; and 4) Social Interaction. From these themes the Socio-Cultural Framework for Exchange Study Program was developed. Host of activities must be promoted by the school administration to address the student’s challenges. A cultural exchange can be an ideal strategy where both teachers and students can get oriented with their respective country of origin to gain more understanding of the culture and tradition of one another. A constant social interaction between exchange students and foreign teachers facilitate communication where there is dynamic exchange of ideas.
Keywords: Foreign Teachers, Nursing Students, International Exchange Program
Background
Internationalization in the education sector is the trend at present. Cooperation and collaboration among Higher Education Institution among neighboring countries is encouraged. In line with this, International Exchange Programs were introduced as an avenue to promote partnership between schools and universities worldwide.
For an Exchange student who has grown up using a native tongue as a primary language, studying in an international school with English as a medium of instruction can be both a fulfilling and challenging learning experience. Besides studying, meeting up with a foreign teacher and listening to the lessons can be exciting as well. Hence, this study aims to explore on the lived experiences of students in the Exchange Study Program on having a foreigner as a teacher with a Grand Tour question: “What are the lived experiences of exchange students on having a foreign teacher?”. Furthermore, the results of this inquiry will serve as a basis for formulation of an innovative teaching approach and strategy that can be helpful for both the students and foreign teachers.
Student exchange programs in nursing provide opportunities to develop skills in meeting global health care demands (Alden-Joyce et al, 2023). It is imperative that nursing education keep up with trends in health care. Nursing schools around the world promotes cultural diversity by welcoming exchange students. As the demand for nurses are increasing, and so is the call for standardization in health care through international accreditation. Nursing education sector is now under pressure to produce more internationally competent nurses to cope up with the current shortage of nurses worldwide.
Furthermore, exchange study programs provided vast opportunities for aspiring students who would want to delve into international careers in the future. In a qualitative study by Piipponen (2023) students claimed that exchange study program enabled personal growth, communal growth and socialization.
see PDF attachment for more information