Intercultural - International Study Tour
Curriculum guideline
Seminar: pre-experience 10 - 20 hours
and
Field experience: 40 - 60 hours
Seminar: Prior to the experience, the students will meet at the college at assigned times to research, plan, and discuss the intercultural and/or international experience.
Field experience: Once at the destination, the students will work together as a group and with students of the host institution(s) to engage in immersive foreign language and cultural activities, in line with the research carried out prior to departure. The instructor may accompany students in their planned excursions and will schedule daily check-ins with students to support the students and help them stay on track to complete their objectives.
Instructor feedback and revision of submitted work provided by instructor.
To prepare for the experience, the student will:
- Research the location of the intercultural/international experience;
- Research the language and culture of the host region/country;
- Research the group itinerary for activities and events during the intercultural/international experience;
- Explore the cross-cultural implications of participating in an intercultural/international experience.
During the experience, the student will:
- Engage critically with the programming of the experience by attending and participating in workshops, seminars, lectures and excursions that are planned as part of this immersive experience;
- Document their experiences using a variety of media.
After the experience, the student will:
- Write a reflective essay and/or submit a presentation which must include reflection on the experience (such as video, portfolio, etc).
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Plan an intercultural and/or international experience in any Modern Languages discipline, including researching the destination, developing a travel budget and organizing travel logistics.
- Demonstrate time-management and organizational skills on site at the international experience to maximize participation in workshops, seminars, lectures and excursions.
- Reflect upon an intercultural and/or international immersive study experience using a variety of media.
- Describe and interpret diverse cultural events and products.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of cultural practices distinct from their own.
- Demonstrate intercultural competence by forging connections and collaborating with peers from different linguistic and/or cultural backgrounds and/or different regions and countries.
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy.
Sample breakdown of evaluation:
Preparation quiz - 10%
Group research - 10%
Journal or video blog entries - minimum 4 items with max. value per single item 10% (accumulated total 40 %)
Reflective essay/presentation - 20 %
Participation and conduct - 20%
TOTAL - 100%
No single evaluation will be worth more than 20%.
Evaluations may be done in-person and/or online.
Course material (if applicable) will be selected based on the content and destination of the intercultural/international experience.
A list of materials/textbook/course pack will be made available to students at the beginning of the semester in the Course Guideline given by the instructor.