Abstract

The focus of this study is to explore in what way a short term field study can contribute to teacher students intercultural learning and professional development. The role that firsthand experience plays in culture learning has invariably been discussed to be a critical part in intercultural learning (Quezada 2012, 8). The empirical material for the study consists of interviews before, during and after a two week field study conducted with six Swedish teacher students in South Africa. Observations during the field visits were also part of the used methods. The students specifically reflects on the observed language barriers for children who are attending education with other languages than their mother tongue, strong discipline in classrooms and resource differences between schools. According to the students diversity in the culture and seeing pupils with diverse backgrounds in the same context will be helpful for their future carriers. They believe in particular that the field study experience will help them to meet pupils with diverse backgrounds in their own school classes. They also believe the field study helped them to gain an understanding of the Swedish education system in comparison to others. Thus, we argue that a short term field study can contribute to intercultural learning and professional development, although findings also suggest that the tutoring in the field plays a crucial role.