Transformative study abroad programs in emerging nations: Moving toward equitable Global North-South partnerships

ABSTRACT

This work explores how short-term study abroad programs in emerging nations might be redesigned to become more beneficial to host institutions and communities, while providing more responsive, transformative learning experiences for students, and analyze how study abroad programs, as well as follow-on grant and research programs, can also be the tools that develop a sustainable and equitable partnership between universities in the Global North and South. This research is focused on the challenges of developing equitable north-south partnerships, as well as research focused on improving the quality of student experiences in emerging nations. Based on multiple study abroad programs from North America to Botswana, we examine the development of more collaborative study abroad programs in developing countries. This research, focused on the development and execution of study abroad programs with the propensity to positively impact their host community, or at least to do no harm, particularly in developing nations – includes analyses of programs that emphasize connecting and coping skills for all participants, community engagement and the avoidance of missionary zeal, and effective service-learning projects.

View correction statement:

Correction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional Resources

1. Miller, G. (2013). Education for citizenship: Community engagement between the Global South and the Global North. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 37, 44–58.

This article focuses on a fieldwork exercise with UK geography students. It was based on community engagement in a partnership with refugee and black minority communities in Liverpool. The work explores how this type of fieldwork can enhance understanding of development geography, while contributing to global citizenship and nurturing personal skills.

2. Ouma, B. D. O. & Dimaras, H. (2013). Views from the global south: Exploring how student volunteers from the Global North can achieve sustainable impact in global health. Globalization and Health, 9, 6p.

Previously, much research and practical application regarding student volunteer abroad experiences have focused on ensuring the optimal learning experience for students from the Global North. This article, however, examines another aspect of global student volunteer programs where these student experiences can sustain a mutually beneficial partnership between Global North volunteers and Global South institutions.

3. Fortune, T., Borkovic, S., Bhopti, A., Somoza, R., Nhan, H.C., & Rangwala, S. (2019). Transformative learning through international project-based learning in the Global South: Applying a students-as-partners lens to a “high-impact” capstone. Journal of Studies in International Education, 23, 49–65.

Using a Students-as-Partners (SaP) approach, this article explored the development of students as global citizens. In particular, it examined the experience of Australian occupational therapy students when partnering with community health leaders in India and Vietnam. As these students felt uneasy being perceived by others as “all knowing,” this added to the challenge of working within limited resource contexts and differing Global North-South perspectives. However, despite these challenges, students appeared to have negotiated a cultural learning journey and emerged with new insights regarding world views.

Notes

¹ For additional perspectives, readers may access another article in this volume: Major, J. Beyond aid, gratitude, and transformation: Developing a mutually beneficial international teaching experience.

² Access two articles from this volume for additional perspectives: Newton, J., Oudghiri, S., Obenchain, K. & Phillion, J. Preservice teachers’ understandings of social justice within the context of study abroad programs and Knoester, M. & Bellamy, D., Pre-service teachers examination of inequalities in contrasting study abroad settings.