Abstract
With disasters on the rise, counselors need to increase their cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills to work with affected
communities. This study reports outcomes of a four-week immersion experience in southern Africa with six counselor-trainees.
Data sources for this qualitative study were: daily journals and demographic forms. Outcomes suggest that sustained contact
with community residents and daily supervision experiences served to improve cultural awareness. Recommendations include pushing
through students’ resistance using a non-linear dynamic model of transformation.
communities. This study reports outcomes of a four-week immersion experience in southern Africa with six counselor-trainees.
Data sources for this qualitative study were: daily journals and demographic forms. Outcomes suggest that sustained contact
with community residents and daily supervision experiences served to improve cultural awareness. Recommendations include pushing
through students’ resistance using a non-linear dynamic model of transformation.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10447-011-9138-0
- Authors
- Cirecie West-Olatunji, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Rachael D. Goodman, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
- Sejal Mehta, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
- Laura Templeton, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Journal International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling
- Online ISSN 1573-3246
- Print ISSN 0165-0653