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Participant Perspectives on Personal Learning and Development of a GLBT Short-Term Study Abroad Program

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Participant Perspectives on Personal Learning and Development of a GLBT Short-Term Study Abroad Program Culture within a Culture: Participant Perspectives on Personal Learning and Development of a GLBT Short-Term Study Abroad Program A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BY Annika Bowers IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS Gerald W. Fry, Co-adviser Jeremy Hernandez, Co-adviser January 2012 LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF GLBT HISTORY AND ACTIVISM Acknowledgements I would like to thank many people who made it possible to complete this study. First of all, I would like to thank my committee, starting with my adviser, Gerry Fry for the advice, feedback, and general enthusiasm he showed for this study. Thanks to Jeremy Hernandez and Barbara Kappler for taking time out of their busy schedules to sit on my committee. I thank Anne Phibbs for her guidance in the beginning in formulating the idea for this study and help with the GLBT history and objectives section of the literature chapter. I am also very grateful for the help of Heidi Soneson at the Learning Abroad Center, who willingly facilitated the IRB application, amendment, and data collection process for this study. This study would not have been possible without Matthew Thomas and the Plan A master’s thesis class consisting of Maren Stoddard, Emily Hanson, Millicent Adjei, and Heather Keelon. The structure, advice, feedback, editing, and support I received from Matthew and my classmates were invaluable. I would also like show my gratitude to my sister Rachel, who as a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Master’s in Public Health, helped me through the IRB process and allowed me to talk through the general thesis process with her many times. I would not have been able to complete this study without the love and support of my girlfriend Kate, who listened to my frustrations and kept me sane and fed when the going got tough. Finally, it is an honor to thank the i LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF GLBT HISTORY AND ACTIVISM participants of this study for sharing their wonderful insights with me and for having the courage to be so open about their global seminar experiences with a stranger. ii LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF GLBT HISTORY AND ACTIVISM Abstract This study examines the outcomes of a four-week, short-term study abroad course focused on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) studies at the University of Minnesota. It aims to address the lack of research on the cross-section of study abroad and GLBT Studies courses. The qualitative method of interviewing participants illuminates the learning and personal development outcomes through documenting their intercultural experience of learning about GLBT issues throughout history, and examining the reflective re-entry process to highlight behavioral changes. This study aims to discover the impact of GLBT study abroad programs on participant attitudes, knowledge, future interest in study abroad, and new or renewed plans to engage in GLBT activism. The findings offer insight into how collaboration between GLBT higher education and education abroad professionals could expand both international education and GLBT Studies and strengthen the experience of all study abroad participants. Keywords: short-term study abroad, GLBT Studies, Berlin, Amsterdam, University of Minnesota Este estudio examina los resultados de un curso al extranjero a corto plazo enfocado en estudios Gay, Lesbiana, Bisexual, Transgénero (GLBT) de la Universidad de Minnesota y aspira dirigirse a la falta de investigaciones de la sección transversa de los estudios extranjeros y cursos de estudios GLBT. El método cualitativo de entrevistar los participantes ilumina el aprendizaje y desarrollo personal por documentar sus iii LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF GLBT HISTORY AND ACTIVISM experiencias interculturales en aprender de los asuntos GLBT, y examinar el proceso reflexivo de la reentrada para destacar cambios de comportamiento. Este estudio también ambiciona descubrir el impacto en la actitud, interés en estudiar al extranjero en el futuro, y planes nuevos o renovados en involucrarse en activismo GLBT. Las conclusiones ofrecen entendimiento de cómo colaboración entre profesionales universitarios de educación al extranjero y de los estudios GLBT tiene la posibilidad de aumentar ambos campos y fortalecer la experiencia de todos los participantes de estudios extranjeros. Palabras claves: curso al extranjero a corto plazo, estudios GLBT, Berlin, Amsterdam, Universidad de Minnesota iv LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF GLBT HISTORY AND ACTIVISM Table of Contents: Acknowledgements.............................................................................................................i Abstract.............................................................................................................................iii Table of Contents...............................................................................................................v List of Tables.....................................................................................................................vi Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................1 Research Problem....................................................................................................1 Purpose of the Study................................................................................................6 Chapter 2: Literature Review.........................................................................................14 History of short-term study abroad........................................................................14 Outcomes of study abroad.....................................................................................20 History of lesbian and gay studies.........................................................................27 Outcomes of lesbian and gay studies.....................................................................36 Gap in research: GLBT Studies and Short-term Study Abroad.............................39 Chapter 3: Methodology..................................................................................................44 Position of Researcher...........................................................................................45 The Research Site..................................................................................................47 Short-term GLBT Program....................................................................................49 The Participants.....................................................................................................50 Research Design.....................................................................................................53 Data Collection......................................................................................................54 Data Analysis.........................................................................................................56 Validity and Reliability..........................................................................................57 Ethical Issues.........................................................................................................57 Chapter 4: Data Analysis................................................................................................60 Course Contents.....................................................................................................60 Pre-departure Experience and Expectations..........................................................66 Reclaiming the Past: GLBT History......................................................................68 Connection between History and Activism...........................................................76 GLBT Community and Activism of Amsterdam and Berlin.................................80 Definition of Activism...........................................................................................92 Personal Development/Growth............................................................................102 Synthesis of Analysis...........................................................................................119 Chapter 5: Implications and Conclusions...................................................................123 v LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF GLBT HISTORY AND ACTIVISM Implications for Education Abroad and GLBT professionals.............................128 Limitations...........................................................................................................129 Recommendations................................................................................................130 Conclusions..........................................................................................................132 References.......................................................................................................................134 Appendix A: Interview Questions and Protocol.............................................................147 Appendix B: Course Syllabus.........................................................................................149 Appendix C: Final Paper Assignment Guidelines..........................................................156 vi LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF GLBT HISTORY AND ACTIVISM List of Tables Table 1. Participant Demographics..............................................................................51 Table 2 Participant GLBT profiles..............................................................................52
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