The cultural competence of the workforce is increasingly important due to global population aging and the growing diversity of the older population. Experiential learning, particularly through study abroad programs, is a known strategy to enhance these competencies; yet such training remains uncommon in higher education, especially at the graduate level. While the United States is currently a relatively young country with 17% of its population aged 65 years and older, the percentage is projected to increase to more than 21% by the end of this decade. Recognizing the value of learning from a super-aged society, a two-week study abroad course called Gerontology in Japan was developed for United States graduate students. The course outcomes were systematically evaluated using both qualitative and quantitative data ( n = 11). Assessments included reflection essays, open-ended survey items, and cultural competency assessments. Results indicated improvement in participants' cultural competencies, such as cross-cultural communication skills and positive attitudes toward older adults from other cultures. Success in meeting these competencies is attributed to careful course planning, enabling students to benefit from an intensive preparation workshop and concrete learning experiences during the two-week stay in Japan. The evaluation also identified the program's strengths and weaknesses, providing suggestions for future course development.
Yamashita et al. (Sun,) studied this question.
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