Cultural Immersion Rubric

Course Defining Characteristics

·       Immersion

• A core learning objective of the course is continuous immersion in a target environment
• Students engage language/communication skills in context

·       Intellectual

• Students have the chance to engage theory with practice
• Experience is course-based
• Understand social and cultural elements of target environment
• Reflect on own society, in structured way, during immersion experience
• Reflect on experience/outcomes after the fact

Real-life Situation

• Immersion experience is not wholly constructed, and therefore has an element of the unknown and unexpected
• Students must negotiate cultural differences in real-life situations
• Students must practice responsibility in building relationships with individuals in other cultures

Key Terms for Student Learning Outcomes

• Deeper understanding of cultural differences and similarities
• Ability to analyze and interpret behavior of self and others
• Effective communication skills
• Ethical responsibility 

Expectations of Instructors

• Mentoring consistent throughout
• Students engage in structured reflection throughout
• Goals are clearly defined and measurable
• Outcomes may change in response to unexpected events/situations