Swazi students' perceptions of US health promotion students participating in a service learning project in Swaziland

Anne Fogler, Purdue University

Abstract

The globalization of our world has led universities to expand their international programs to prepare our students to meet the needs of an increasingly international workplace (Albers-Miller, Prenshaw, & Straughan, 1999; Anderson, Lawton, Rexeisen, & Hubbard, 2004; Evans, Finch, Toncar, & Reid, 2008; Garza, 2008; Lowe, Dozier, Hunt-Hurst, & Smith, 2008). This is true as well for health promotion students. In developing an international program, such as Purdue’s Global Perspectives Swaziland program, it is becoming accepted that gaining the local perspective is imperative to the success of the program (Bakewell, 2000; Drifmeyer & Liewellyn, 2005; McIntosh & Zahra, 2007; Natsios, 2005). This study utilized a phenomenological approach to study 6 University of Swaziland (UniSwa) students’ perceptions of US Purdue University students that participated with them in a two-week study abroad service learning project in the Kingdom of Swaziland. The study utilized interviews with the Swazi students. Interviews were semi-structured with 5 questions and guided by journals the Swazi students were asked to keep during the two week experience. Interviews were analyzed using line by line coding. Using the interview questions as guides, 4 categorical themes emerged: expectations/perceptions of the US students, cultural awareness and sensitivity, worst/best experience with the US students, and impact on the Swazi community. For each of the 4 categorical themes, sub-themes emerged. This study examined host population’s perceptions of the visiting students and the two week study abroad program. It showed that the same principles used to guide developmental and reconstructive work can help guide and improve study abroad programs. The unique relationship of the Swazi students as mentors, teachers and cultural interpreters to the US students may provide a helpful model for the development of future study abroad programs. Finally, it is important to acknowledge the actions and experiences of both sets of students that led to the success of the program and foster these qualities in future groups of students. The hope is that programs such as this one will continue to develop future globally minded public health practitioners.

Degree

M.P.H.

Advisors

Avery, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Public health

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