Following Their Gaze: Student Photographs of International Travel Exemplify Global Mind-Set Construction

• In Event: Poster Session 7
  In Poster Session: College Student Learning and Development

Abstract

International travel is used by universities to facilitate students’ movement toward global perspectives. One way to understand the cultural experiences and meaning making of students as they travel is through the use of photography and encouraging them to utilize their “photovoice” as a way to express their global mindedness. This descriptive qualitative study explored the experiences of students traveling to Ghana for a 10-day trip through the use of photo journals, photo journal narrations, and focus groups. A photovoice experience exposed the students’ cultural models and individual storylines revealing their gaze towards and ongoing construction of their global mindset.

Authors

• Martha J. Strickland, The Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg

• Karin Sprow Forté, The Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg