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so insular that stereotypes of those who female and one was male. After the participant stated, “having actual inter-
are different are at the forefront of one’s tour ended, we provided students with actions with [people] from a different
mind? Without a broad worldview, a 10-question online survey. Eight stu- culture than my own is the easiest way
individuals are cutting short social and dents started the questionnaire. Seven to gain an understanding and empathy
economic opportunities, which could students completed all ten questions. of their worldview.”
impact future generations across the Though it is a tiny, non-generalizable We asked participants if their involve-
globe. Fortunately, beliefs are influ- sample, students’ reflections provide ment in the study tour would influence
enced by practical experience and clear evidence for the importance of their future actions, conversations and/
practical experience influences beliefs. cultural immersion opportunities. or decisions and all responded yes.
Their responses illustrate the impact
The concern that Americans lack a When asked to explain, participants
broad worldview is one reason it is an immersion experience had on their stated they would use the experience to
essential for universities to provide worldviews, feelings of social justice, educate others about people from the
opportunities and encourage student and cultural empathy. region and dispel the Muslim terrorist
participation in cultural immersion The ten survey questions focused on myth that is perpetuated in the media,
programs. Every student on our Jordan how and in what capacity the cultural while others said the experience would
trip reported that their participation in immersion experience changed them. have a direct impact on their work with
this program changed their worldview, Of the seven respondents, three (43%) disadvantaged groups and influence
their pursuit of social justice. A par-
ticipant remarked that the experience
Study participants were consistent completely changed their perception
of the Middle East as a “bad place”, to
in reporting that they now have an area of a world that they would like
to visit again. And finally, a participant
a better understanding of Islam stated that the experience “caused me
to be bold in conversation regarding
and are able to view Islam culture”, leaving us to speculate that the
participant has grown more comfort-
through a lens that is not afforded able challenging disingenuous stereo-

types of Muslims by some Westerners.
to most Americans. Perhaps the most poignant responses

were provided in answer to the fol-
lowing fill in the blank: “Regarding
which could ultimately enable them to said that their participation in the my perception of the Middle East,
look at individuals from other cultures Jordan study tour caused them to be before I went to Jordan I used to think
with more empathy. For instance, one more accepting of differences between _______, but now I think _______.”
student said, “[Prior to this experience people. Interestingly, a slightly higher Answers varied from focus on travel
I was exposed to] many misconceptions response of four (57%) respondents said and religion to US intolerance
about a Middle Eastern culture and the experience caused them to want to of Muslims and commonalities,
Muslims and now I have a much more search out and cherish the differences for example:
complex understanding of Jordan and in people, which was not expected. I used to think “That our cultures
their compassionate people.” When they elaborated on these themes, have nothing in common,” but now
a participant said they were “nervous” I think “our cultures have more in
Students’ reflections on to visit Jordan, but once we arrived and common than we know.”
their learning met the inhabitants their worldview
Our paper considers survey responses changed “100 times over,” and that I used to think “Religion dictated
every aspect of [Jordanian] people’s
from the nine students who participated they “fell in love with it.” Two other lives,” but now I think
in our immersive Jordanian study tour. respondents suggested that the experi- “but now I know I was wrong.”
One student had recently earned a ence enabled them to learn about Islam
master’s degree; six were undergradu- and recognize that the stereotypes I used to think “it was a horrible
ates and two were enrolled in a master’s regarding Muslims that permeate the place” but now I think “they are the
program. Of these students, eight were media are not necessarily true. One kindest people.”

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