Fostering integration among students with different backgrounds using an orthotic community service program

Area of Science:

• Global Health Education
• Intercultural Communication Studies
• Pedagogy in Higher Education

Background:

• Globalization necessitates developing students' intercultural competence.
• International service-learning is a key pedagogical strategy for integrating global perspectives.
• Higher education institutions are implementing programs to foster cross-cultural understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess intercultural learning outcomes in students participating in an orthotic community service program.
• To evaluate the impact of international service-learning on students' intercultural competence.
• To investigate the effectiveness of community service in developing cross-cultural skills among students.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method approach combining pre- and post-program surveys and focus group interviews.
• Collaboration between universities in Hong Kong and the USA for an orthotic service program in mainland China.
• Evaluation of students' professional knowledge, intercultural understanding, and communication skills during service delivery.

Main Results:

• Students perceived the program as important for enhancing cross-cultural communication capabilities (p < 0.05).
• An increase in local students' willingness to collaborate with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds was observed.
• Thematic analysis revealed improvements in intercultural awareness, understanding, communication, and openness to interact with different cultures.

Conclusions:

• International community service programs can positively influence students' intercultural communication abilities.
• Participation in such programs fosters a greater interest in working with culturally diverse populations.
• Service-learning provides a practical platform for developing essential intercultural competencies in students.