Cross-Cultural Professional Practice (9855.2)

This unit will be offered as an elective available to all courses offered by Faculty of Health. It will complement the development of professional graduates by providing students with a deeper understanding of their respective industry in a cross-cultural situation. This situated learning enables students to participate in the social and professional community where personal and professional knowledge, confidence and competence can be enhanced.

Students will be assigned to a relevant academic mentor/supervisor for the duration of the unit. They will be challenged to make comparisons between the understanding and practices in different cultural settings. They will further develop their graduate skill base through cultural immersion and engagement and will be asked to critically reflect on key discipline-related theoretical and practical concepts and their application in the cross-cultural domain.

Learning outcomes

On the successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Participate in a cross-cultural professional setting and apply previously gained skills and knowledge;
2. Critically analyse and articulate the contextual influences that inform both similarities and differences between cultural settings;
3. Demonstrate enhanced cultural intelligence through engagement with diverse professionals and peers; and
4. Demonstrate ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with people whose attitudes, values, knowledge and skills may be significantly different from their own.

Graduate attributes

2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Skills development

This unit is based on an international experience you will embark on as part of a Faculty Study Tour (FST) or other similar opportunities. During COVID-19 border closures a limited number of virtual overseas placements are offered.

As such, your program leader will set up the required assignments for you to successfully complete this unit. 

If you do not have a program leader and you are unsure about your assignments for this unit, please contact the unit convenor so she can guide you through it (ro.mcfarlane@canberra.edu.au).

Prerequisites

Must have passed 48 credit points and permission of the Unit Convener.

Corequisites

Must be enrolled in course owned by Faculty of Health.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.