Helping educate prospective students before they travel across the world to relocate in an unfamiliar culture with little language skills is the most rewarding opportunity I have had thus far. As demonstrated by research, the more cultural knowledge and experience a student has prior to study abroad, the more successful they will be with their academics, social life, communication, health, safety, and professional development in a new culture.
My newest publication, “Preparing East Asian Undergraduates for the Cultural Challenges of Study in the U.S.” is a condensed paper sharing how international students perceive U.S. cultural knowledge in regards to their preparation, transition, and adjustment during their first semester of U.S. study. Ironically, although all participants wished they had been offered more formal lessons about U.S. culture prior to leaving their home country, not one had received or even heard about organized cultural training for study abroad! YIKES!
THUS, for 5 1/2 weeks, my three objectives on the 2014 International Education Tour (Seoul, Shanghai, Beijing) is to:
1. Teach pre-departure U.S. college student success skills (U.S. culture, study skills, networking skills, language skills, and professional development skills) to students interested in U.S. study abroad.
2. Teach college student success strategies to students interested in improving their academic, social, language, and professional skills for NEVADA colleges and universities.
3. Apply my pre-departure and post-arrival relocation and adjustment curriculum to my own (first-time) stay in Asia to feel and experience a glimpse of what my international students endure before, during, and immediately after relocating to a culturally rough (different) environment with little (to no) language skills, resources, or local contacts for support.
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION IS AWESOME!!!!
With the right preparation and guidance, cultural transition and relocation can be MUCH EASIER. Saving time, money, stress, and energy can produce GREATER OUTCOMES while reducing negative culture shock symptoms. Contact me to learn more about this subject or post a comment/question below. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Na-jung-e bwae-yo! 나중에 봬요!
Tara Madden-Dent, Ph.D. is an international education consultation, teacher, and speaker. She is available at:
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Tara Madden-Dent, Ph.D. 