Due to enrollment trends which put short-term faculty-led program participation above traditional study abroad, university faculty have primary control over student learning outcomes related to cultural competency for the majority of students. However, many faculty leaders are not trained to teach cultural competency skills. Using the pedagogical practice of Cultural Mentoring, faculty can enhance cultural competency gains for students, regardless of academic discipline or topic of study.
Learning Objectives:
Describe cultural mentoring and the important role that faculty leaders of short-term study abroad programs play as mentors for their student participants. Research shows that while cultural mentoring is an impactful pedagogical practice to improve cultural competency outcomes in study abroad participants, many practitioners do not fully engage in the role (for a variety of reasons). Essential elements of cultural mentoring include cultural preparation, critical reflection, appropriate role modeling, and responsive debriefing, among others.
Recognize the scope of the problem in that short-term faculty-led programs are the fastest growing segment of study abroad in the US and national enrollment data shows that these programs surpass figures of traditional study abroad programming. Research shows that universities overwhelmingly value internationalization efforts, however, faculty do not necessarily echo institutional goals for study abroad outcomes. It may seem surprising, but as a result of current enrollment trends, the largest segment of study abroad participants are embarking on programs designed and led by faculty who are likely not trained in cultural competency pedagogy and who may not put as much value in cultural competency learning outcomes as their institutions.
Plan ways in which faculty from participants' respective institutions can implement elements of cultural mentoring into their own study abroad programming. Building awareness and sharing techniques to incorporate cultural mentoring into faculty-led programming is an achievable goal for study abroad offices of any size as well as faculty engagement coordinators who work closely with university faculty on faculty led programming initiatives.
