Chris Middleton
Do field studies abroad provide intercultural experience?
Email: chris.middleton2@ncl.ac.uk
Project title
What effects does a Field Study abroad have on the intercultural competence of postgraduate students?
Supervisors
- School of Engineering
- School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences
Project description
This is a cross-disciplinary project between Civil Engineering and Education disciplines.
We are investigating whether residential field trips provide students with the preparation needed for placements in today’s global environment. University STEM/Engineering training remains technology-heavy. It is light on the intercultural communication skills demanded by international companies. Perhaps what is really important is:
- “the ability to reflect on misunderstandings, ask questions, and adopt a different perspective. That’s what intercultural competence is all about. It’s about learning how to deal with differences and diversity” (Moosmüller, 2014)
Interests
International cross-cultural studies; sustainable urban transport; cycling, hiking and photography.
Qualifications
- MA TESOL and PGCE (Modern Languages): Newcastle University
- MA Lit.u.Erz.wissensschaft: University of Osnabrück
- BA German and European Studies: University of Southampton