New research validates the use of the AFS Global Corporate Certificate on short term international programs
A recent study from Purdue University has revealed that adding the AFS Global Competency Certificate (GCC), a course that IOI offers as part of our online add on options, to short term study abroad and international experiential education opportunities has an astonishing effect in the participant's Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), a widely used instrument of intercultural competency measurement.
The GCC is an 18-module video-based digital learning aid to developing intercultural competence. Combining video-based modules with facilitated reflection and discussion sessions, this course helps students move beyond their comfort zones and start to see common features across different cultures as well as different ways of thinking or behaving. The GCC course has recently been updated to take into account not only global cultural differences but an in-country perspective to help gain cultural awareness closer to home.
““I have seen this course develop and improve throughout the years. The combination of top-class videos and resources, with guided reflection sessions makes this a very effective tool for educators. I have seen how impactful this course can be on students, and now we have data to prove this! As a trained GCC facilitator I always encourage our partner institutions and our individual participants and volunteers to consider adding this course prior to their international educational component””
As part of our commitment to offering impactful experiential education opportunities in Cuba and the Galapagos, IOI promotes the AFS GCC as part of our pre-trip tools, and when discussing faculty-led and study abroad programs, we suggest this course when the institution does not offer a similar course to their students. “Study abroad and internationalization programs at universities are often designed on the assumption that participants learn simply through reading about culture or by coming into contact with the new and different people and situations,” said Linda Stuart, Head of Global Competence at AFS Intercultural Programs. “Research has concluded otherwise – that global competence, the capacity to communicate, collaborate and lead effectively across differences, is developed through intentional, facilitated learning.”
IOI offers several online courses and we encourage you to consider these as options prior to your trip with us or during these next weeks whilst we spend lots of time at home!
