Exploring and Assessing Intercultural Competence - Center for ...

A. About the Federation EIL
Exploring and Assessing Intercultural Competence
1. Overview of the Initial Phase Project
The Federation of The Experiment in International Living (aka: FEIL, or Federation EIL),
founded in 1932, is one of the oldest and premiere international, intercultural educational
organizations in the world today. Through its Member Organizations (MOs) – all independent,
non-profit, and autonomous national entities – FEIL constitutes a worldwide network with
representation in 26 countries (cf. Appendix B: FEIL and Its Member Organizations). From the
very beginning, their collective mission has been: “to build world peace, one person at a time”
(cf. Appendix A: FEIL’s Vision and Mission Statements). Over the past three quarters of a
century, several hundred thousand individuals of all ages have participated in FEIL programs
through the combined efforts of its MOs around the world.
FEIL MOs work toward this mission by providing a variety of programs in education, service,
and development. These programs are conducted among Federation members as well as with
other partners around the world that share similar beliefs and practices. To ensure consistent
quality, the Federation adheres to a set of Operational Standards that guide members in their
work, along with a Quality Assurance Form that serves as an ongoing review instrument.
FEIL programs are designed and conducted by at least two collaborating partners (and sometimes
more in the case of multinational groups). In all educational programs, a group leader and a local
representative from each host community work together as the program unfolds. In service and
development programs, the addition of a mentor provides local worksite orientation and guides
each volunteer throughout the service component. All FEIL programs include pre-departure
orientation, host country orientation, language training, a family homestay (the hallmark of The
Experiment), and a thematic focus or a service project.
B. The Federation’s Research Interests
Although touted as an “intercultural educational experience,” little systematic study had been
previously conducted to document exactly what transpires in an Experiment program and the
effects on sojourners and hosts alike. Over the years, significant testimony has been accrued in
the form of personal accounts, anecdotal tales, and autobiographical writings that attest to the
impact that programs exert on the lives of those involved. This aside, however, inadequate
formal research existed to document explicitly the impact of living abroad, study abroad,
service abroad, and other forms of intercultural contact on all parties. Although few would
deny the provocative and enriching nature of these experiences in producing significant lifechanges,
it was time to learn more. Moreover, given the slogan: “FEIL: An acknowledged leader
in the field of intercultural educational exchange,” recently adopted (Brazil General Assembly,
April 2006), it was essential that thoughtful research and clearly documented evidence back up
this claim.
As a result, FEIL formulated a long-term plan to conduct a global, longitudinal, and crosssectional
research study to investigate just this. In fact, it recognized that only by assessing the
impact of programs upon participants can attainment of the organizational mission be
appropriately measured. But, what constitutes this impact – i.e., what exactly are the changes and
the factors responsible for them? These questions formed the basis for the issues raised in this
Center for Social Development
Washington University in St. Louis
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