International Collaboration for a Cross-Cultural Experience

Mezirow (2003) defines transformative learning as learning that transforms problematic frames of reference to make them more inclusive, discriminating, open, reflective, and emotionally able to change (p.58). This session will include a discussion of one method to enable the transformational learning of cultural competence through an international service-learning experience. Recent literature has provided rich discussions of these international immersion experiences and although many of the reports of these experiences have been primarily anecdotal, consensus supports that they generally broaden the participants\u27 world view and contribute to increased cultural awareness and understanding (Ryan M, Twibell R, Brigham C, Bennett P., 2000; Evanson TA, Zust BL, 2004). This session will address how one school developed a transformational learning process through a course and an associated international experience. One course outcome was the development of a health education and primary health service delivery project that was implemented in a trip to Quito, Ecuador