Agency, autonomy, and power of international students in interactions with local society in Japan through an experiential learning project

ABSTRACT

This study investigates how international exchange students from North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia exercised agency and power and created their autonomy through experiential learning to cooperate with local schools and organisations in Japan. Empirical research on international students’ intercultural experiences in Western countries has grown; however, research on their intercultural experiences in Japan is lacking in English publications. This research qualitatively examined how international students from various cultural backgrounds attempted to cooperate with locals in Japan’s emic world. Results revealed that intercultural frame-switching did not occur automatically, and international students could not cope with the intercultural competence required in Japanese society. Facing intercultural challenges, students exhibited a separation orientation to preserve their cultural identities, valuing their agency and autonomy, and found ways to exercise power independently. Educational interventions can expand students’ potential for developing intercultural relationships with locals from the host society.

KEYWORDS:

• International students
• Japan
• experiential learning
• agency
• power

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. As of January 2021, Hiroshima University had concluded inter-university exchange agreements with 95 universities in 31 countries across North America, Europe, Oceania, Asia, and two consortiums (USAC: University Studies Abroad Consortium, and UMAP: University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific) worldwide, which allowed students to study abroad in partner universities with tuition waiver. Approximately 40–60 students participate in the Hiroshima University Study Abroad Program (HUSA) annually.