“The world is my oyster”: impacts of an international student teaching experience on future early childhood special educators

ABSTRACT A critical component of blended early childhood/early childhood special education teacher preparation programs is preparing future educators who have the knowledge and skills to work with culturally and linguistically diverse children and families. International field experiences that immerse pre-service teachers (PSTs) in another culture can provide a transformational experience that leads to personal and professional growth and the use of culturally responsive practices. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how an 8-week student teaching experience in Ecuador impacted PSTs’ understanding of special education and their perceived ability to work effectively with culturally and linguistically diverse children and their families. We conducted semi-structured interviews with six undergraduate PSTs who student taught in Ecuador in Fall 2019. Participants described an awareness of culturally responsive practices, new perspectives on special education, and a shift in confidence and self-efficacy. This international experience provided different opportunities than traditional domestic field placements. PSTs described their responsibility for planning and implementing interventions with children with special needs as heightening their interest in special education. Given the transformational nature of international field experiences, personnel preparation programs should consider replicating key components of international field placements within cross-cultural domestic field placements.