
L. PERRY ET AL.
process. Though it should be noted that prior to the exposure to
something novel, abstract conceptualization can have occurred.
Meaning, preparation for future experiences related to a stude n t ’s
involvement in a course is also valuable to their learning. These
connections between experience and reflection, content and
experience, and reflection and content are ones that have long
been theoretically (Kolb, 1984; Dewey, 1938; Dewey 1933) and
practically (Perry, 2011) established. By intentionally connect-
ing Dewey and Mezirow’s conceptualizations of learning with
Tarrant’s conceptual framework for studies abroad, a call for
further research focusing on the experiences and perspectives of
students within short-term study abroad environments can be
made.
From this commentary I am reminded of a situation I re-
cently experienced. I went to sleep, like any other night before,
only to awake the following morning with my right eye swollen
shut. I called the doctor, arranged an appointment, and within
one-hour was waiting for the physician’s diagnosis—a simple
eye infection. Now then, as I walked back to the parking lot
where my wife was waiting to take me back home, I realized
how unaware I was of the world around me. I was unaware of
the world that existed to the right of my nose. My right periph-
eral was more or less blinded. Thi s particular experience spa r ke d
an idea in my thinking on the topics of reflection and critical
reflection and led me to this postulation on the subject: Reflec-
tion and critical reflection are processes that create opportuni-
ties to stop and think, question, and discuss what you have ex-
perienced, read, written, or thought; so that perhaps, when you
“restart” or “go back” to your thinking or doing experiences, you
may be more aware of the role you play and the influence you
have in your world. Essentially, transformative learning, educa-
tive experiences, and critical reflection are about opening a
learner’s metaphoric eyes and enlightening their perspectives
through thought provoking scenarios, self-reflection, and dia-
logue. With regard to formal education, this can be related to
fostering a heightened sense of awareness in a learner’s cogni-
tive and affective peripheral. Considering short-term study a broad
is on the rise, perhaps by framing it within these literatures it
can become strengthened, supported, and shaped to practically
expose learner’s to the related teaching methods.
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