ABSTRACT
Chapter 6 begins with a review of aspects of the exchange experience common to the four alumni groups participating in the Follow-on Research Project, collectively. Their combined views represent a multinational perspective—one that moves a step closer toward understanding potentially “universal” aspects that all people might share as the result of intercultural contact. This is followed by an updated review of the ten original a priori assumptions underlying both research projects, based on additional responses from the multinational population involved in this second research project. What emerges clearly throughout is the indisputable importance of the host family homestay as the core of the experience plus the importance and value of developing host language proficiency as a fundamental component of intercultural communicative competence. This discussion is followed by a review of implications and applications of the findings for multiple aspects of educational exchange to ensure that the research data are turned into practice. Areas discussed are participant selection, program design, cross-cultural orientation, interventions, assessment, and post-program follow-up. A final section looks ahead, shifting the focus from theory to practice, suggesting several models and techniques to help enrich the implementation of future programs. Lessons learned are discussed, new questions posed, and areas for further research are suggested. The work is summarized in the hope that the current research findings will serve not only other researchers but also educators and trainers interested in ensuring quality educational exchange efforts. Most importantly, it is hoped that this work will be of benefit for their students, future program participants, and their hosts.
