[MSc Thesis] Harnessing the learning potential of cultural diversity of an environmental sciences program by using the boundary crossing theory at WUR

Orosz's MSc thesis research aimed to investigate if learning activities based on the BC theory are effective in enhancing students’ intercultural sensitivity, and if students appreciate those to harness the learning potential of cultural diversity in their education program. Therefore, an intervention in the form of a non-formal workshop was designed and executed. The workshop included storytelling, a debate, and an escape room activity. To evaluate the workshop, explanatory mixed research methods were used, specifically the ISS survey developed by Chen and Starosta (2000), overt observation, and a focus group discussion. Due to the limited number of workshop participants it was impossible to do a sound statistical analysis. The results do show that placing diverse cultural perspectives (emerging from various life experiences) next to each other and being forced to take an opposite position than one’s own seems to help students to identify their own norms, values, and basic assumptions and increases their intercultural sensitivity.

Emese was supervised by Karen Fortuin (Environmental Systems Analysis Group) and Judith Gulikers (Education and Learning Sciences Group). To find out more about Emese's research, please contact her at emese.orosz@wur.nl.