Exploring and Assessing Intercultural Competence - Center for ...
Exploring and Assessing Intercultural Competence - Center for ...
Exploring and Assessing Intercultural Competence - Center for ...
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<strong>Exploring</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Assessing</strong> <strong>Intercultural</strong> <strong>Competence</strong><br />
educational support to ensure a maximally productive experience. Program quality is ensured<br />
throughout each of the various components plus ongoing reflection <strong>and</strong> evaluation. Also provided<br />
are:<br />
- opportunities to serve in multi-cultural teams<br />
- attention to health <strong>and</strong> safety issues<br />
- attempts to meet the needs <strong>and</strong> interests of individuals of varying ages <strong>and</strong> backgrounds.<br />
With 23 sending <strong>and</strong> 14 receiving countries working with indigenous NGOs <strong>and</strong> local<br />
organizations, VIP exerts a major impact on communities in need <strong>and</strong> on the lives of participants<br />
in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Irel<strong>and</strong>, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria,<br />
South Africa, Thail<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> Turkey. Sample projects include:<br />
- Aksay Pratishthan – a center in New Delhi <strong>for</strong> disabled people<br />
- the Dhapakjet Health Post – in Nepal where volunteers assist medical staff<br />
- the Kayam<strong>and</strong>i Beads Project – <strong>for</strong> women in South Africa<br />
- TEMA – a Turkish environmental association<br />
Additionally, sample projects available in Ecuador, the host country used in this study, include:<br />
- CENIT (<strong>Center</strong> <strong>for</strong> the Working Female Child)<br />
- FINE (Foundation <strong>for</strong> the Integration of Special Children)<br />
- Santa Lucía Reserve (A community-based conservation organization in the <strong>for</strong>ests of<br />
Northwestern Ecuador)<br />
- La Dolorosa Shelter (Provides education <strong>and</strong> a home <strong>for</strong> children whose families are<br />
unable to care <strong>for</strong> them)<br />
- the Conocoto Rural School (Serves neglected rural communities that lack the most basic<br />
health facilities)<br />
Volunteers cover their own travel <strong>and</strong> expenses; however, ef<strong>for</strong>ts are made to keep costs low.<br />
Some projects offer accommodations in return <strong>for</strong> service. In<strong>for</strong>mation about scholarship<br />
assistance is available by contacting individual sending offices. Indeed, it is VIP’s goal to<br />
document program outcomes in hopes of increasing private support <strong>for</strong> scholarships.<br />
5. Participants Involved in This Study<br />
Three Experiment MOs were engaged in this research project: Ecuador, Great Britain, <strong>and</strong><br />
Switzerl<strong>and</strong>. British <strong>and</strong> Swiss alumni were contacted to learn about post-program outcomes.<br />
Great Britain began its service programs with Ecuador in 2001 <strong>and</strong> had 18 alumni in 2005;<br />
Switzerl<strong>and</strong> began programs in 1998 with over 100 returnees of whom 76 (those involved in this<br />
study) were German-speaking Current VIP volunteers (1 British <strong>and</strong> 4 Swiss) <strong>and</strong> their host<br />
mentors in Ecuador were also tracked during this study.<br />
<strong>Center</strong> <strong>for</strong> Social Development<br />
Washington University in St. Louis<br />
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