Journal Article

“This Was Eye-Opening for Me”: A Case Study of Insider Perspectives on an International Program in Norway

Hu, Aihua, Ohm, Modgun, Akslen, Åse Nylenna

2025

Overview

This article explores the impacts of various components of an international program on the professional development of both international and local student teachers. The primary data source comprised the participants’ narratives across four cohort years (2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024, n = 50), supplemented by focus group interviews (n = 3) with eleven students from the 2021 cohort. Data were analyzed deductively, guided by the overarching purpose of teacher education and Biesta’s three functions of education. Our findings reveal that the international program significantly enhances participants’ qualification as future teachers, notably in professional competence, pedagogical knowledge and skills, intercultural competence, and subjectification regarding the ability to make independent professional decisions for their future careers. Additionally, the inclusion of both international and local students provides mutual benefits, albeit to varying extents and in different ways. The results suggest that thoughtfully designed program components and the integration of international and local students in higher education yield substantial benefits for all participating student teachers.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Adventure Education / Biesta / Case studies / Child Development / Classroom Communication / Competence / Course Content / Cross Cultural Studies / Curricula / Data Analysis / Early Childhood Education / Early Childhood Teachers / Education / Education policy / Educational Facilities Improvement / Educational Objectives / Educational Practices / Educational Quality / Field Experience Programs / Foreign students / Formative Evaluation / Global Approach / Globalization / Interdisciplinary Approach / Interdisciplinary aspects / International / international program / International Programs / Internship Programs / Kindergarten / Knowledge / Language Acquisition / Learning / Methods / Outdoor activities / Outdoor education / Outdoors / Pedagogy / Preservice Teacher Education / Preservice teachers / Professional development / Quality of education / Student teachers / student teachers’ perspectives / Study abroad / Teacher education / Teachers / Teaching / Teaching Skills / Young Children