effect of study abroad on intercultural sensitivity - MOspace

119 Pages·2006·0.25 MB·English

by  Steve Fisk

EFFECT OF STUDY ABROAD ON
INTERCULTURAL SENSITIVITY

A Dissertation presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School
University of Missouri-Columbia

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Education

by
PAULA K. PATTERSON
Dr. Cynthia MacGregor, Dissertation Supervisor
DECEMBER 2006
The undersigned, appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School, have examined the
dissertation entitled:
EFFECT OF STUDY ABROAD
ON INTERCULTURAL SENSITIVITY
Presented by Paula K. Patterson
A candidate for the degree of Doctor of Education
And hereby certify that in their opinion it is worthy of acceptance

________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Cynthia MacGregor

________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Diana Garland

________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Kenneth Holloway

________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Beth Hurst

________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Robert Watson

________________________________________________________________________
DEDICATION
I dedicate this dissertation to my dear husband Steve Fisk, who nagged me until I pursued
this dream and spent a lot of time alone while I completed my degree, and to my parents
who helped to support me financially and emotionally during this time. They always
reminded me that any money they invested in my education and in my travel abroad was
not wasted.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank my advisor Dr. Cynthia MacGregor for her time, her guidance, and
encouragement. She was there for me every step of the way, and I could not have
completed this without her. I would also like to thank my colleagues, especially Dr.
Susan Craig, Dr. Sue Lacey, Dr. Marilyn Martin, and Dr. Stacy McNeill. You paved the
way for me and kept me accountable until I finished. Finally, I would like to thank my
colleague Dr. Dana Carroll for all of her encouragement and support, and I would like to
thank Dr. Curt Lawrence for ten years of guidance in study abroad.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.............................................................................................ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS.................................................................................................iii
LIST OF TABLES...........................................................................................................viii
ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................ix
Chapter
1. INTRODUCTION
Introduction.......................................................................................................1
Conceptual Underpinnings................................................................................4
Statement of the Problem..................................................................................8
Purpose of the Study ........................................................................................9
Limitations, Assumptions, and Design Controls.............................................12
Definitions of Terms.......................................................................................14
Summary.........................................................................................................19
2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Introduction.....................................................................................................20
History of International Education..................................................................21
Early twentieth century.............................................................................22
1961-2001…….........................................................................................23
September 11, 2001..................................................................................24
Current trend.............................................................................................26

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Importance of Study Abroad.........................................................................27
Funding……….........................................................................................27
Leadership.................................................................................................28
Intercultural sensitivity.............................................................................29
Business....................................................................................................30
Science and engineering ..........................................................................31
Nursing......................................................................................................33
Education..................................................................................................34
Perspectives of Multicultural Development ...................................................35
Individualism vs. collectivist ...................................................................36
Cross-cultural sensitivity and employees .................................................36
Teaching strategies ...................................................................................37
Student diversity.......................................................................................41
Difficulty getting a visa ...........................................................................43
Economics.................................................................................................43
Assessment................................................................................................44
Conclusion................................................................................................45
3. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
Research Questions and Research Hypotheses .......................................49
Population and Sample ...........................................................................53
Data Collection and Instrumentation ......................................................53
Data Analysis

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4. DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS
Introduction..............................................................................................57
Profiles of the Participants.......................................................................59
Group Profiles...................................................................................59
Demographic Profile ........................................................................60
Research Questions..........................................................................................61
Changes in Development of Intercultural Sensitivity.......................62
Research Question 1.........................................................................62
Denial/Defense..................................................................................64
Four subscales...................................................................................65
Avoidance.........................................................................................65
Reversal.............................................................................................65
Minimization.....................................................................................66
Acceptance/Adaptation.....................................................................67
Adaptation.........................................................................................67
Encapsulated Marginality.................................................................68
Developmental and Perceived Sensitivities......................................68
Research Question 2.........................................................................69
Denial/Defense..................................................................................71
Minimization.....................................................................................72
Acceptance/Adaptation.....................................................................73
Encapsulated Marginality.................................................................73

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Developmental and Perceived Sensitivities......................................73
Research Question 3.........................................................................73
Research Question 4.........................................................................76
Summary....................................................................................................79
5. SUMMARY, IMPLICATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction.............................................................................................82
Summary of Findings .............................................................................83
Hypothesis 1.......................................................................................84
Hypothesis 2.......................................................................................84
Hypothesis 3.......................................................................................85
Qualitative Findings...........................................................................85
Summary...........................................................................................86
Discussion of Results ..............................................................................87
Globalization......................................................................................87
Funding..............................................................................................87
Current Trend.....................................................................................88
Summary.........................................................................................89
Limitations...............................................................................................89
Implications for Future Research.............................................................90
Implications for Practice..........................................................................91
Conclusion...............................................................................................92

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APPENDICES
A. REQUEST TO ENTER CLASSROOM .......................................................95
B. INFORMED CONSENT FORM ..................................................................96
C. QUESTIONS FOR EMAIL QUESTIONAIRE..............................................97
D. QUESTIONS FOR INTERVIEWS................................................................97
REFERENCES............................................................................................................98
VITA..........................................................................................................................108

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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Paired Samples t-Test Comparisons for Study Abroad.................................63
Table 2. Paired Samples t-Test Comparisons for On-Campus....................................70
Table 3. Independent t-Test for Comparison of Change for
On-Campus and Study Abroad........................................................................75

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