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Promoting Intercultural Competence: Experiences from Kenya and Nepal Study Abroad

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Title: Promoting Intercultural Competence: Experiences from Kenya and Nepal Study Abroad
Language: English
Authors: Lydiah Nganga, John Kambutu, Samara Madrid Akpovo, Sapna Thapa
Source: Journal of Social Studies Education Research. 2025 16(4):1-27.
Availability: Journal of Social Studies Education Research. Serhat Mah. 1238/2 Sok. 7B Blok 12 Ostim, Yenimahalle, Ankara, Turkey; Web site: http://jsser.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 27
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Study Abroad, Cultural Awareness, Culturally Relevant Education, Intercultural Programs, Multicultural Education, Preservice Teachers, Interpersonal Competence, Barriers, White Teachers, Anglo Americans, Cross Cultural Training
Geographic Terms: Kenya, Nepal
ISSN: 1309-9108
Abstract: This study utilized an Interpretive Phenomenological Approach (IPA) to examine how sequentially planned study abroad programs in Kenya and Nepal influenced pre-service teachers' development of intercultural competence. IPA was chosen to capture participants lived experiences and to explore their evolving perspectives before and after travel. Qualitative data was collected from eight White pre-service teachers through open-ended interviews, reflective journals, and focus groups. Findings revealed a complex trajectory: while many participants initially expressed openness to engaging with unfamiliar cultures, post-travel reflections showed significant variation. Some participants demonstrated intentional efforts to adapt and build intercultural understanding, while others exhibited denial, defensiveness, and ethnocentric attitudes, viewing unfamiliar practices through a deficit lens. These results underscore that developing intercultural competence is an intentional, fluid, and multifaceted process rather than an automatic outcome of cultural exposure. The study highlights the critical role of well-structured, critically informed study abroad programs in preparing culturally responsive social studies educators. Programs grounded in Critical Internationalization principles can more effectively foster genuine intercultural learning by encouraging self-reflection, cultural humility, and critical awareness. Implications for social studies teacher education programs emphasize the need for deliberate, sustained support to help future educators navigate and value cultural complexities in diverse classroom settings.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1492904
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Promoting Intercultural Competence: Experiences from Kenya and Nepal Study Abroad
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lydiah+Nganga%22">Lydiah Nganga</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22John+Kambutu%22">John Kambutu</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Samara+Madrid+Akpovo%22">Samara Madrid Akpovo</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sapna+Thapa%22">Sapna Thapa</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Social+Studies+Education+Research%22"><i>Journal of Social Studies Education Research</i></searchLink>. 2025 16(4):1-27.
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  Data: Journal of Social Studies Education Research. Serhat Mah. 1238/2 Sok. 7B Blok 12 Ostim, Yenimahalle, Ankara, Turkey; Web site: http://jsser.org
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Kenya%22">Kenya</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Nepal%22">Nepal</searchLink>
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  Data: 1309-9108
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: This study utilized an Interpretive Phenomenological Approach (IPA) to examine how sequentially planned study abroad programs in Kenya and Nepal influenced pre-service teachers' development of intercultural competence. IPA was chosen to capture participants lived experiences and to explore their evolving perspectives before and after travel. Qualitative data was collected from eight White pre-service teachers through open-ended interviews, reflective journals, and focus groups. Findings revealed a complex trajectory: while many participants initially expressed openness to engaging with unfamiliar cultures, post-travel reflections showed significant variation. Some participants demonstrated intentional efforts to adapt and build intercultural understanding, while others exhibited denial, defensiveness, and ethnocentric attitudes, viewing unfamiliar practices through a deficit lens. These results underscore that developing intercultural competence is an intentional, fluid, and multifaceted process rather than an automatic outcome of cultural exposure. The study highlights the critical role of well-structured, critically informed study abroad programs in preparing culturally responsive social studies educators. Programs grounded in Critical Internationalization principles can more effectively foster genuine intercultural learning by encouraging self-reflection, cultural humility, and critical awareness. Implications for social studies teacher education programs emphasize the need for deliberate, sustained support to help future educators navigate and value cultural complexities in diverse classroom settings.
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  Data: EJ1492904
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 27
        StartPage: 1
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Study Abroad
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cultural Awareness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Culturally Relevant Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Intercultural Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Multicultural Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Preservice Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal Competence
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      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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      – SubjectFull: White Teachers
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      – SubjectFull: Anglo Americans
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      – SubjectFull: Cross Cultural Training
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      – SubjectFull: Kenya
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      – SubjectFull: Nepal
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    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Promoting Intercultural Competence: Experiences from Kenya and Nepal Study Abroad
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            NameFull: Samara Madrid Akpovo
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            NameFull: Sapna Thapa
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              Y: 2025
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