Intercultural educators exploring facilitation: A qualitative study on facilitation students' learning proces during a short exchange programme - An ENM field-study

The development of intercultural learning during international exchanges requires mentoring and reflection, both essential in the learning process.
This small-scale qualitative study aimed to understand what facilitators in their own voice do to influence the students’ reflective practice and intercultural learning process before, during and after the students join a short exchange.
The European Nursing Module (ENM) is a short exchange programme for nursing students. We interviewed four ENM facilitators from different countries individually online, and analysed data qualitatively. The results showed that the facilitator supported, guided and challenged students in their intercultural learning process; experience helped them to choose which approach would encourage students’ deeper reflection. They structured learning processes using agreed ENM learning tools and elements they had previously experienced being effective such as preparation prior to exchange, peer learning and creating a safe environment. They challenged students’ mind-set and helped them transfer learning from one setting to another. The learning process was life changing and continued after the exchange.
This study gave an insight into the nuanced ways in which facilitators encouraged and promoted students to reflect on their experiences and how this led to a deeper intercultural learning within a short exchange programme. The study could contribute to understand more profoundly the process of reflective facilitation of students’ intercultural learning before, during and after an exchange