Fields Unknown - Russian and American Teachers on Their International Exchange Experiences

Beulah Rohlich once noted that educators have believed for many years that international programs were "an enriching experience" but very few if any could explain what that meant. The purpose of this book is to demonstrate the impact of international exchange and training programs on pedagogical practices of their participants. Interviews with international program alumni from Russia and the United States, authors observations and personal experience provide unique opportunity for understanding how participants of international programs implement, institutionalize, transfer, share and sustain the experiences, skills and knowledge that they obtain during their programs. This work is addressed to a diverse audience: researchers will find here rich data and methodologies for further studies in the areas of international, comparative, and civic education; international program developers, organisers, and coordinators will find sound advice how to improve exchange and training programs and make them more meaningful; future international exchange participants will find a couple of sincere answers to myriads of questions that they have before they commence a jorney to "fields unknown".