CROSS-CULTURAL ADAPTATION ABC WORKSHOP FOR FINNISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN MISSION'S VOLUNTEERS BEFORE HEADING ABROAD
HUANG, JUDY (2020)
HUANG, JUDY
2020
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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202005046978
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202005046978
Tiivistelmä
The aim of this project-based study was to establish a cross-cultural adaptation preparatory workshop for the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission’s (Felm) volunteers before heading abroad. Within the workshop, the volunteers were enabled to be aware of and examine the dynamic contexture of culture before encountering others overseas. Thus, the objective of this project was to equip Felm’s volunteers with essential knowledge and enable them to understand the complex and dynamic process of the cross-cultural adaptation.
The content of this workshop contains two major sections: training section, reflective workshop and evaluation. The theoretic framework provides adequate and valid supporting material in conducting the training section. The incorporation of relevant theories and models presents a credible approach pertaining to the process of cross-cultural adaptation. Several key concepts and figures are introduced that not only help volunteers visualize the complexity contexture of cultural change and dynamic of cross-cultural adaptation process, but also allow participants to discover the influential components of the adaptation process before, during, after then lead to the stage of fostering intercultural competence.
The five key subjects of the training section comprise 1) getting insight into culture, 2) recognizing the challenges of sojourners in cross-cultural adaptation and coping strategies, 3) understanding the pathway of culture shock and reverse culture shock, 4) discovering factors affecting adaptation of individuals, and 5) exploring volunteering and individual growth in learning. The reflective workshop and the evaluation section are carried out after the training section.
This was the first project designed workshop of cross-cultural adaptation for Felm’s volunteers. The workshop was implemented into the ‘Lähde Liikkeelle’ (my translation Get Started) program for volunteers of Felm in December 2019. The title ‘Cross-cultural adaptation ABC workshop for Lähde Liikkeelle course’ was used then.
The project evaluation of this workshop was positive and pleasing both in the process and performance. The aim and objective were both archived. The workshop will be carried out again in 2020 per Felm’s request.
The content of this workshop contains two major sections: training section, reflective workshop and evaluation. The theoretic framework provides adequate and valid supporting material in conducting the training section. The incorporation of relevant theories and models presents a credible approach pertaining to the process of cross-cultural adaptation. Several key concepts and figures are introduced that not only help volunteers visualize the complexity contexture of cultural change and dynamic of cross-cultural adaptation process, but also allow participants to discover the influential components of the adaptation process before, during, after then lead to the stage of fostering intercultural competence.
The five key subjects of the training section comprise 1) getting insight into culture, 2) recognizing the challenges of sojourners in cross-cultural adaptation and coping strategies, 3) understanding the pathway of culture shock and reverse culture shock, 4) discovering factors affecting adaptation of individuals, and 5) exploring volunteering and individual growth in learning. The reflective workshop and the evaluation section are carried out after the training section.
This was the first project designed workshop of cross-cultural adaptation for Felm’s volunteers. The workshop was implemented into the ‘Lähde Liikkeelle’ (my translation Get Started) program for volunteers of Felm in December 2019. The title ‘Cross-cultural adaptation ABC workshop for Lähde Liikkeelle course’ was used then.
The project evaluation of this workshop was positive and pleasing both in the process and performance. The aim and objective were both archived. The workshop will be carried out again in 2020 per Felm’s request.