Cross-cultural Learning and International Collaboration: Evaluation of a Study Tour to Thailand

• Main Authors: Jacqui Allen, ยาใจ สิทธิมงคล, Yajai Sitthimongkol, Bridie Kent, อรวมน ศรียุกตศุทธ, Aurawamon Sriyuktasuth, รัชนี ศุจิจันทรรัตน์, Rachanee Sujijantararat, Barbara Green
• Other Authors: มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล. คณะพยาบาลศาสตร์
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: cross-cultural learning; evaluation; nursing education; study tour; วารสารพยาบาลศาสตร์; Journal of Nursing Science; Open Access article
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/9905
• Institution: Mahidol University

Purpose: To evaluate cross-cultural learning among Thai staff and host students from the Facultyof Nursing, Mahidol University (MU) and Australian guest students from the School of Nursing andMidwifery, Deakin University (DU), who participated in a study tour.Design: Descriptive exploratory evaluation.Methods: Key stakeholders were invited to participate resulting in a convenience sample of sevenMU staff, five MU and 22 DU students. Data were collected using mixed methods. Qualitative data weretheme analysed and quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics.Main findings: The semi-structured interviews with MU staff, focus group with MU students andfree response questions in the online survey with DU students indicated the themes of enhanced andvaluable cross-cultural learning and relationship building, the challenges of different social behavioursand the importance of tolerance and acceptance. In the online survey, over 77% (n = 17) of DU studentsreported high satisfaction with their cross-cultural learning on the study tour. The online surveyincluded the validated Miville-Guzman Universality-Diversity scale short form (M-GUD-S). AllAustralian students reported seeking diversity of contact (X ± SD = 23.1 ± 4.4), relativistic appreciation(X ± SD = 24.7 ± 3.9), and comfort with differences (X ± SD = 26.2 ± 3.0), indicating high levels of openness to cultural diversity and similarity on the M-GUD-S.Conclusion and recommendations: This study provides an example of an evaluated study touremphasising cross-cultural relationship building. Findings indicate that nursing education shouldinclude opportunities for intercultural exchange among nursing students. Nurses require excellent skillsin cross-cultural nursing and relating to meet the future global challenges to health care over the nextmillennium.