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Improvement in the Cognitive Aspects of Cultural Competence after Short-Term Overseas Study Programs

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  • Chen Wang

    (Center for Brain, Mind and Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China
    School of Teacher Education, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China
    Faculty of Health, School of Psychology and Counseling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4059, Australia)

  • Xiang-Yu Hou

    (School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Brisbane 4059, Australia)

  • Nigar G. Khawaja

    (Faculty of Health, School of Psychology and Counseling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4059, Australia)

  • Michael P. Dunne

    (Institute for Community Health Research, Hue University, Hue 47000, Vietnam
    Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Faculty of Business and Law, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4059, Australia)

  • Jane Shakespeare-Finch

    (Faculty of Health, School of Psychology and Counseling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4059, Australia)

Abstract

Universities are providing short-term overseas study programs for healthcare students to increase their cultural competence (i.e., capacity to work effectively in cross-cultural situations). However, there is limited empirical research evaluating the effects of these programs using well-controlled research designs. In the present research study, undergraduate healthcare students in an Australian university were selected as participants. Group 1 ( n = 32) participated in a short-term overseas study program in Asia (i.e., China, Vietnam, Singapore, and Taiwan), whereas Group 2 ( n = 46) stayed in Australia to continue their university education as usual. All participants completed a self-developed demographic questionnaire, Cultural Intelligence Scale, and Multicultural Personality Questionnaire. Cultural competence was surveyed pre- and post-short-term overseas programs. After controlling for prior overseas experiences and the open-mindedness trait, an ANCOVA indicated that Group 1 had a significantly higher scores than Group 2 in cultural knowledge ( p < 0.05), but not in cultural awareness, attitude, or skills. It is suggested that short-term overseas study programs may increase healthcare students’ cultural knowledge, a component of competence, and that more needs to be accomplished to improve other areas of cultural competence.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen Wang & Xiang-Yu Hou & Nigar G. Khawaja & Michael P. Dunne & Jane Shakespeare-Finch, 2021. "Improvement in the Cognitive Aspects of Cultural Competence after Short-Term Overseas Study Programs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-11, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:7102-:d:587505
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ang, Soon & Van Dyne, Linn & Koh, Christine & Ng, K. Yee & Templer, Klaus J. & Tay, Cheryl & Chandrasekar, N. Anand, 2007. "Cultural Intelligence: Its Measurement and Effects on Cultural Judgment and Decision Making, Cultural Adaptation and Task Performance," Management and Organization Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 3(3), pages 335-371, November.
    2. Caligiuri, Paula & Tarique, Ibraiz, 2012. "Dynamic cross-cultural competencies and global leadership effectiveness," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 47(4), pages 612-622.
    3. Soon Ang & Linn Van Dyne & Christine Koh & K. Yee Ng & Klaus J. Templer & Cheryl Tay & N. Anand Chandrasekar, 2007. "Cultural Intelligence: Its Measurement and Effects on Cultural Judgment and Decision Making, Cultural Adaptation and Task Performance," Management and Organization Review, The International Association for Chinese Management Research, vol. 3(3), pages 335-371, November.
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