Overseas Student Teaching: Affecting Personal, Professional, and Global Competencies in an Age of Globalization

Abstract

Conditions in the world today demand that teachers have increased international knowledge and experience that they can transmit to the students in their charge. Developing the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve such objectives requires significant immersion experiences in cultures other than one’s own.Schools of edu cation, however, give scant attention to this reality.This study examined the nature of the international student teaching experience and its impact on the professional and personal development of new teachers.Fifty returned student teachers reported how such an experience affected them personally as well as professionally.Findings reflect the study-abroad literature in general, suggesting that an overseas experience has immense benefits for the student teacher.Students reported impact on their beliefs about self and others as evidenced through increased cultural awareness and improved self-efficacy, as well as professional development in terms of global- mindedness. © 2002, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.