Engaging in Linguistic and Cultural Exchange Experiences as Homestay Host Families

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 32
  In Roundtable Session: Examining Familial Engagement and Multicultural Experiences across Diverse Contexts

Abstract

The paper explores the long-term cultural immersion experience of students whose families voluntarily host foreign guests in their home. This study specifically focuses on how homestay hosting experiences – engaging and interacting with linguistically and culturally diverse guests – impacts the students’ intercultural learning. The findings demonstrate that students became aware of one’s biases and stereotypes, built open-minded attitudes toward linguistic and cultural diversity, and developed intercultural knowledge through their years of participation in cultural exchange program. The study highlights the importance of developing K-12 students’ intercultural competence as well as (re) considering informal spaces such as home and community as possible educational milieu for intercultural learning.

Author

• Jungmin Kwon, Michigan State University