| The purpose of this study was to discover and describe who the students were, demographically, who participated in a year-long Rotary Cultural and Academic High School Exchange Program. In addition, the researcher sought to discover and describe some of the key aspects that motivated students to enroll and any changes in ethnocentricity versus cultural celebration in United States and foreign born students who participated in the program. The specific researcher questions were:;1. Who are the students, demographically, who choose to spend a year abroad in the year-long Rotary Cultural and Academic High School Exchange Program?;2. What motivates United States and foreign born high school students to spend a year abroad in a year-long Rotary Cultural and Academic High School Exchange Program?;3. What are the differences in attitude, if any, between outbound high school students, inbound high school students, and rebound and yo-yo high school students who are participating in a year-long Rotary Cultural and Academic High School Exchange Program towards ethnocentrism and multicultural celebration?;4. What challenges and recommendations do outbound, inbound, and rebound students, after preparing for and experiencing a year-long Rotary Cultural and Academic High School Exchange Program, suggest that might better prepare future students for their exchange experience?;A mixed methods approach using descriptive sequential research design was utilized, employing the data collection tools of survey, focus groups, and interviews. The research results were that the students were demographically similar. They were mostly motivated to do an exchange by interest in learning about another culture, language, and desiring adventure. They became bicultural, and although they were highly satisfied with the program, they offered suggestions for improvement. The significance and implications of the research were that young people can become bicultural and develop independence and leadership through these exchanges. |
