Developing an International Cultural Learning Project: An Effort Towards Introducing Internationalization in the Classroom

Abstract

In an increasingly diverse and global society, allied health professionals must be ready to meet the needs of clients with different cultural values, habits, and attitudes. Understanding how culture impacts decision making in healthcare is a fundamental skill. However, education and experiences to help prepare future practitioners to meet this need are often lacking in allied health. This paper highlights a call to develop methods to identify and overcome barriers in providing students with culturally diverse and immersive experiences both feasibly and efficiently. A pilot cross-cultural experience was created utilizing the technique of Internationalization at Home (IaH) and integrating technology to improve the fidelity of the interactions. The focus of this project was to evaluate the feasibility of bringing students from two countries (one United States and one European program) together in a structured learning session related to culture and occupational therapy. The outcome of this pilot project was overwhelmingly positive. While there were some limitations in connectivity and organization, the students reported they benefitted from both exposures to a different culture, as well as from the discussions related to their future roles within the profession of occupational therapy.