Shaping the Mindset: A Case Study of an Elementary School International Exchange Program

Abstract

Abstract Today’s interconnected world demands that students develop the intercultural competencies of skills, behavior, and attitudes to meet the needs of the 21st century. The number of American students who participate in study abroad has been increasing at a steady rate. Many studies have explored the benefits of studying abroad, with some studies indicating how study abroad can be a powerful experiential learning experience. Despite the ever-increasing number of research studies on international exchange programs in higher education, very little data exists on programs for elementary school-aged students. This study attempts to help fill that knowledge gap. This qualitative single case study explores the experience of an exchange program between an independent school in Honolulu and a private school in Tokyo, and how it contributes to the development of the mindset of the elementary school-aged participants to prepare them for a globally interconnected world. Data were collected from 16 interviews, two focus group discussions, and 22 redacted student travel journals. The findings of this study identified five essential attributes of people with a global mindset: Open-minded, Curious, Adaptive, Resilient, and Empathetic. The majority of the research participants attributed their increased level of personal growth in terms of confidence and independence to the international exchange program. Additionally, this study found that a purposeful and well-designed program can elevate its effectiveness, developing a more global mindset successfully. Keywords: intercultural competency; study abroad; international exchange program; global mindset; experiential learning