https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315318814571
Journal of Studies in International Education
2019, Vol. 23(1) 49–65
© 2018 European Association for
International Education
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DOI: 10.1177/1028315318814571
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Article
Transformative Learning
Through International
Project-Based Learning in
the Global South: Applying a
Students-as-Partners Lens to
a “High-Impact” Capstone
Tracy Fortune
1
, Shinead Borkovic
1
, Anoo Bhopti
1
,
Renee Somoza
1
, Ha Chan Nhan
2
,
and Shabnam Rangwala
3
Abstract
This article explores the development of students as global citizens, using a Students-
as-Partners (SaP) approach in which the partnership focused beyond academic staff in
regions that have, politically and geographically, been referred to as the “global south.”
We explored the experience of Australian occupational therapy students partnering
in a project-based learning internship with community health leaders in India and
Vietnam to advance health service needs. In contrast to their previous experiences of
studentship in Australia, students felt uneasy with the perception by others of being “all
knowing.” This added to the challenge of being creative in contexts where there were
limited resources and perceived difficulties in applying their global north understandings.
Despite the challenges, these students appear to have navigated a cultural learning
journey emerging with new insight into their own and others subjective world views.
Keywords
transformative learning, project-based learning, internationalization of teaching, learning
and research, mobility of students and academic staff, study abroad, occupational
therapy, higher education, students as partners
1
La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
2
Hue University, Vietnam
3
Able Disabled All People Together, Mumbai, India
Corresponding Author:
Tracy Fortune, Associate Professor, School of Allied Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria,
Bundoora, 3086, Australia.
Email: T.Fortune@latrobe.edu.au
814571JSI XX X 10.1177/1028315318814571Journal of Studies in International EducationFortune et al.
issue-article 2018