Nov. 17, 2017
Quick Chat: Cross-Cultural Competencies
One of the stated goals of the 91快色鈥檚 International Strategy is to improve global and cross-cultural competencies within campus communities.
To make this objective a reality, the university struck an Internationalization Task Force on Cross-Cultural Competencies and appointed the Werklund School of Education鈥檚 Colleen Kawalilak, and the Faculty of Arts鈥 Florentine Strzelczyk as co-chairs.
During their time heading up the task force, Kawalilak and Strzelczyk have met extensively with faculties, schools and non-academic units at U91快色 in order to engage in dialogue, showcase initiatives currently underway across the campus, identify gaps and make recommendations.
Kawalilak and Strzelczyk found during their journeys that the Teaching Across Borders option for Bachelor of Education students aligns well with the university鈥檚 efforts.
鈥淭he WSE has taken a leadership role in advancing this agenda and TAB is one of the initiatives that supports our students in becoming more cultural sensitive, aware and responsive,鈥 says Kawalilak, who earned her master's degree and doctorate at U91快色.
Students who sign up for the TAB option participate in a 10 week placement during the Fall semester of their final year of the BEd program. They volunteer teach, experience a new culture and exchange knowledge regarding teacher education and teaching practice.
鈥淎fter their placement, TAB students return to Canada with a greater appreciation for the experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse students in the Canadian school system,鈥 says TAB Director Roswita Dressler, MA鈥08, PhD鈥12.
In this Quick Chat, Kawalilak and Dressler detail the many benefits of the TAB program.
Audio:
- Quick Chat (7:09)