Why reflection matters? : Reviewing the major forms of reflection and exploring their impacts on developing intercultural competence through study abroad programs

Abstract

Due to the recent social expectation to educate global citizens and provide them with high English competence and intercultural communication competence, many colleges or universities have short- or long-term study abroad programs to provide students with opportunities to experience cultural differences and also improve their intercultural skills. Given that, if not interpreted appropriately, their cross-cultural experiences have a potential risk of reinforcing negative stereotypes against cultural“others”, and let students stay in their own culturally encapsulated worldviews, this paper reviews the major research after 2000 and onward to explore the role and efficiency of reflective learning for developing intercultural communication competence in study abroad programs. (105 words)