All at-sea with learning spaces, interculturality and Yin-Yang

ABSTRACT

This article explores how a third space could be constructed in an outdoor setting. It uses at-sea sail-training to substantiate the construction of a third space. It uses Yin-Yang philosophy to enrich existing theories of third space and experiential learning. The finding reveals that the thirdness of the oceanic space has a positive impact on self-other understanding in intercultural contexts. It concludes by presenting a three-dimensional Yin-Yang third space of ocean experiences upon tall ships and suggests nine elements in intercultural programmes should be reflected upon as a basis for creating a learning space of interculturality.

中文摘要 本文探讨了在户外环境中构建第三空间的可能性。该研究使用航海培训作为构建第三空间的实践载体。在引入阴阳哲学的基础上，本文为第三空间理论和体验式学习的理解和应用提供了新的视角。研究结论显示，海洋空间的‘第三性'对跨文化交际中的‘自我'与‘他者’的理解存在积极的影响。在结论中，本文构建了一个以高桅帆船为体验式学习背景的阴阳三维第三空间，并列出了九个构建跨文化学习空间的关键影响因素，给跨文化项目规划者和实践者作为参考。

KEYWORDS:

• Third space
• experiential learning
• interculturality
• sail-training
• Yin-Yang

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yujun Xu

Yujun Xu is an early career researcher who just finished her PhD in autumn 2020. She is a research assistant at the Academy of Sport at the University of Edinburgh. She supervises postgraduates’ dissertations and teaches Philosophy of Education, Education Policy and Politics of Education, and Sport, Society and International Development to students at Moray House School of Education. Her main research interests lie in intercultural learning and communication and experiential education. She also serves as a member of the expert working group in the Advanced HE project ‘Ethnic Diversity in Education’.