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 />
(SA12) “I learned a lot about myself during the time in Ecuador; this journey has stamped my life<br />
in many ways”<br />
(SA15) “I gained a lot of new experiences, underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>for</strong> other ways of living, other cultures”<br />
(SA15) “a sad insight that basically one cannot make the world a better place; one cannot really<br />
change things”<br />
(SA16) “I appreciate it much more that I’m so happy <strong>and</strong> that I have everything I need <strong>and</strong> want.<br />
I try harder not to throw away any food”<br />
(SA19) “I think above all I learned a lot of new things about myself. In the beginning, I thought<br />
that I could adapt completely to a totally different way of life <strong>and</strong> get used to living that way also.<br />
With time, I had to admit that that isn’t so easy. I did not have enough time <strong>for</strong> myself while<br />
living with the family <strong>and</strong> I did not like it at all that you cannot move freely all day in the city<br />
itself – a luxury that is practically never taken from me at home. I am still just as curious as I was<br />
be<strong>for</strong>e my stay, <strong>and</strong> will also take advantage of the next opportunity to get to know other cultures.<br />
I think that I also now have very different expectations about countries that I will visit in the<br />
future, because I now have an idea how it might be. When I went to Ecuador, I only had a limited<br />
idea about the country’s politics <strong>and</strong> history, but otherwise I knew so little that I held no<br />
expectations about my visit.”<br />
(SA20) “I do not get stressed as quickly now . . . <strong>and</strong> I don’t let myself be bothered by other<br />
people . . . . One learns to appreciate the advantages in Switzerl<strong>and</strong> (infrastructure, cleanliness,<br />
less poverty)”<br />
Additional insights about the impact of this experience on their lives were derived from<br />
comments made during interviews of both alumni <strong>and</strong> volunteers:<br />
(BA1) “It is no exaggeration to say that this project has impacted on my life totally. In the future,<br />
after completion of a university degree, I plan to return to Ecuador <strong>and</strong> my future career will be<br />
based within the environmental sector. I feel that the whole experience in Ecuador has given me<br />
so much more confidence in my own abilities.”<br />
- impacted on my life totally<br />
- I plan to return<br />
- future career based on experience<br />
- increased confidence in my own abilities<br />
(BA3)<br />
- returned a completely different person<br />
- gained a much a greater perspective on all aspects of life<br />
- gained an underst<strong>and</strong>ing of a different culture<br />
- a much greater global outlook<br />
- increased confidence<br />
- a life-changing experience (B4)<br />
- I feel stronger, know I can make it in another country<br />
- more confident<br />
(BA6)<br />
- has broadened my horizons<br />
<strong>Center</strong> <strong>for</strong> Social Development<br />
Washington University in St. Louis<br />
40