The Effects of the Japan Bridge Project on Third Graders' Cultural Sensitivity

Abstract

This study examines the effects of the Japan BRIDGE Project, a global education program, on its third grade participants. Characterization of lessons and analysis of student interviews were used to investigate the nature of the curriculum and whether or not student participants were more culturally sensitive due to participation. Results indicate that Japan BRIDGE Project participants did become more open-minded to Japan and Japanese culture, but also became less open-minded to people from other cultures. Student participants did not demonstrate significant increases in empathy, non-ethnocentrism, or resistance to stereotyping; however, several factors are proposed to explain these findings. This study has implications for how global education programs can be designed to foster all of the dimensions of cultural sensitivity at the elementary level.