This study uses a chronological lens to examine North-American teacher experiences in international schools abroad. Using semi-structured interviews, teachers compare their experiences in the United States or Canada with their experiences in international schools abroad. Findings suggest that struggles associated with being the ‘other’ in a foreign country often transformed a superficial intercultural awareness into a deeper intercultural understanding among teachers. Despite this broader understanding, not all teachers made explicit connections to their professional practice.
AlfaroCReyesL (2010) International teacher professional development: teacher reflections of authentic teaching and learning experiences. Teacher Education21(1): 47–59.
2.
CambridgeJ (2002) Identifying the globalist and internationalist missions of international schools. Unpublished Paper, Centre for the study of Education in an International Context, University of Bath, Bath, December.
3.
CambridgeJThompsonJ (2001) Big Mac and a Coke? Internationalism and globalization as contexts for international education. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education34(2): 161–175.
4.
CharmazK (2006) Constructing Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide through Qualitative Analysis. London: SAGE.
5.
CorbinJStraussA (1998) Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory, 2nd edn.London: SAGE.
Grounded Theory Institute (2011) What is Grounded Theory? Available at: http://www.groundedtheory.com (accessed 27 May 2012).
10.
HaydenMThompsonJ (1995) International schools and international education: a relationship reviewed. Oxford Review of Education21(3): 327–345.
11.
HaydenMThompsonJ (1998) International education: perceptions of teachers in international schools. International Review of Education44(5/6): 549–568.
12.
HaydenMRancicBThompsonJ (2000) Being international: student and teacher perceptions from international schools. Oxford Review of Education26(1): 107–123.
13.
International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) (2012) Recognition policy summaries. Available at: www.ibo.org (accessed 4 September 2012).
14.
ISC Research (2012) Mapping the world of international schools. Available at: http://isc-r.com (accessed 7 July 2012).
15.
JalladeJ (2011) International approaches to education: a review of some major cooperative programmes. European Journal of Education46(1): 7–24.
16.
LaLondeRJTopelRH (1992) The assimilation of immigrants in the U.S Labor Market. In BoriasGFreemanR (eds) Immigration and the Workforce: Economic Consequences for the US and Source Areas. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press, pp. 67–92.
17.
MatthewsM (1989) The uniqueness of international education: part II. International Schools Journal18: 24–34.
18.
MerryfieldM (2000) Why aren’t teachers being prepared to teach for diversity, equity, and global interconnectedness? A study of lived experiences in the making of multicultural and global educators. Teaching and Teacher Education16(4): 429–443.
19.
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (2012) About us. Available at: www/msa-cess.org (accessed 4 September 2012).
20.
Murakami-RamalhoE (2008) Domestic practices in foreign lands: lessons on leadership for diversity in American international schools. Journal of Studies in International Education12(1): 76–95.
21.
OrtloffDHShahPLouJ. (2012) International education in secondary schools explored: a mixed-method examination of one Midwestern state in the USA. Intercultural Education23(2): 161–180.
22.
OrtloffWEscobar-OrtloffMLuzM (2001) Professional development needs of American international schools overseas: an opportunity for service. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Regional Council on Educational Administration, Jacksonville, FL, November, pp. 1–4.
23.
PearceR (1994) Globalization: learning from international schools. Mobility, November, 9–27.
24.
PurvesRJacksonAShaughnessyJ (2005) A longitudinal study of teachers’ professional development through an international exchange. Journal of In-service Education31(3): 545–568.
25.
StarkeyH (2007) Language education, identities and citizenship: developing cosmopolitan perspectives. Language and Intercultural Communication7(1): 56–71.
26.
TangSChoiP (2004) The development of personal, intercultural and professional competence in international field experience in initial teacher education. Asia Pacific Education Review5(1): 50–63.
