Exploring the Effects of a Cross-cultural Service-Learning Program on Intercultural Competence of Participants
Background: Service-learning as a pedagogy and curricular consideration to revitalize undergraduate education has been flourishing in the Asia-Pacific Region for years. The W. T. Chan Fellowship Program is designed as an intercultural servicelearning program, with the fellows coming from China and Hong Kong, to experience service-learning in the United States. Aims: This study investigates the effects of service-learning international program on intercultural competence of participants, using a pre-test and post-test approach. Sample: All twelve fellows involved in the W.T. Chan Fellowship Program. Method: Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory (CCAI) was utilized to measure intercultural competence of participants. The CCAI scores of the participants were compared prior to and after the program to measure any change during the period. Results: The results using a t-test analysis indicated that students who participated in the W.T. Chan Fellowship program showed a significant increase in total score of CCAI as well as in each dimension after completion the program. Data analysis also revealed that participants without previous intercultural experience gained significantly more in the dimension of emotional resiliency than those who had. Conclusion: As an intercultural service-learning program, participants can develop international competency, particularly in the areas of Emotional Resilience, Flexibility/ Openness, Perceptual Acuity, Personal Autonomy. The findings of this study can assist international educators to design more effective education programs that would aid students in attaining the desired knowledge, skills and competencies.