Posted 12:27 p.m. Thursday, April 17, 2014
UW-L graduate Peiqing Chen is paving the way for better communication between American and foreign students.
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UW-L graduate Peiqing Chen, far left, pictured at the 2013 International Banquet.[/caption]
UW-L graduate Peiqing Chen is paving the way for better communication between American and foreign students.
Chen, ’13, a former UW-L international student from China, participated in the National Conference on Undergraduate Research April 3-5, at the University of Kentucky, along with more than 50 other UW-L students. Chen shared her research about communication with foreign students — particularly when doing group work.
At UW-L many students come from small communities where they don’t have prior intercultural communication experiences, notes Chen. Yet, communication experience with these groups is increasingly important as international student numbers continue to climb on college campuses across the country. These populations have a large cultural and economic impact on their schools and communities.
Chen was attracted to an intercultural communication study after some negative experiences doing group projects at UW-L. In one instance, her group switched topics at the last minute, a difficult feat for any student, but particularly for an international student who may struggle more making last minute changes in a second language. She also experienced some of the common pitfalls of group work when members don’t show up or do their part, putting a heavy load on the remaining members.
For her research, Chen interviewed 12 students — six international students and six American students — asking about their positive and negative experiences working in groups. She also challenged them to think of ways they could improve their ability to work on a group project, especially with foreign students.
From her research, Chen found a student’s level of responsibility and dedication were more important than language or cultural differences in determining whether a group member was effective. She also found that teachers may need to assist with group projects.
Chen now works as a production assistant at a TV station in California and is planning to go back to graduate school.
UW-L graduate Peiqing Chen, far left, pictured at the 2013 International Banquet.[/caption]
UW-L graduate Peiqing Chen is paving the way for better communication between American and foreign students.
Chen, ’13, a former UW-L international student from China, participated in the National Conference on Undergraduate Research April 3-5, at the University of Kentucky, along with more than 50 other UW-L students. Chen shared her research about communication with foreign students — particularly when doing group work.
At UW-L many students come from small communities where they don’t have prior intercultural communication experiences, notes Chen. Yet, communication experience with these groups is increasingly important as international student numbers continue to climb on college campuses across the country. These populations have a large cultural and economic impact on their schools and communities.
Chen was attracted to an intercultural communication study after some negative experiences doing group projects at UW-L. In one instance, her group switched topics at the last minute, a difficult feat for any student, but particularly for an international student who may struggle more making last minute changes in a second language. She also experienced some of the common pitfalls of group work when members don’t show up or do their part, putting a heavy load on the remaining members.
For her research, Chen interviewed 12 students — six international students and six American students — asking about their positive and negative experiences working in groups. She also challenged them to think of ways they could improve their ability to work on a group project, especially with foreign students.
From her research, Chen found a student’s level of responsibility and dedication were more important than language or cultural differences in determining whether a group member was effective. She also found that teachers may need to assist with group projects.
Chen now works as a production assistant at a TV station in California and is planning to go back to graduate school.