Cultural Contrasts in Norwegian Secondary Schools: Intercultural Outcomes From Virtual Exchange Programme in Vocational Education (75775)
Session Chair: Hasmina Sarip
Saturday, 17 February 2024 16:00
Session: Session 4
Room: Sri Nakorn
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
In this study, we explore Norwegian secondary-students’ experience with virtual exchange. The study focuses on students who carried out a cross-cultural collaboration with Kenyan partner-schools in 2022. The research question was: How can digital mobility initiatives assist prospective healthcare workers in their personal, social, intercultural and vocational developments? Theoretically, the study applies Deardorff’s (2006) conceptualization of ‘intercultural competence’ in the analysis of data from observation and in-depth interviews. The findings suggest that there are several positive outcomes from the cross-cultural contact. For instance, all of the students described positive outcomes from their experience primarily on a personal, social and intercultural level. Many relate these developments to their prospective vocational profession both directly, through specific curricular activities, and indirectly, for instance by how personal development is seen as beneficial for their professional development. These findings are encouraging for the students as subjects, for their future professional role as healthcare workers, and for the international imperative of vocational education in Norway. However, the study also identified that many students likely overestimate their progress towards personal, social, vocational and intercultural competence. This is particularly the case when the students experience ‘cultural clashes’, which tend to result in them expressing stereotypes about the cultural other. It is argued that this is likely due to how the students have received monocultural socialization in their upbringing and schooling. Consequently, it is imperative that vocational education assist students in their critical development against cultural homogenization and colonization.
Authors:
Martin Sjoen, University of Bergen, Norway
Kjerstin Valland, Western Norway of Applied Sciences, Norway
About the Presenter(s)
Dr Martin Sjoen is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at University of Bergen in Norway
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