Traveling to transformation: Assessing the impact and key aspects of transformation in an experiential sea-based travel program.

摘要

In order to address current global issues, Class Afloat, an international experiential high school program, aims to develop a sense of ethical global citizenship and foster critical thinking in program participants. In order to explore the efficacy of the intended program goals as well as contributing factors to its success, nine hundred Class Afloat alumni were asked to complete questionnaires evaluating their experience. Ten subjects with extremely high or low scores were interviewed to compare their experiences and interpretations of the program. A textual analysis approach was used to describe the elements involved in facilitating the journey to becoming a critical thinking and ethical globally-minded citizen. Findings indicate that participants are in fact experiencing significant personal and global transformation. Program activities were examined and determined to play differential roles in their contribution to specific forms of transformation. Teachers were also found to play a significant role in the transformation process.