A domestic intercultural immersion experience at UW-Eau Claire is defined as a guided, critically-reflective intercultural experience outside the classroom designed to challenge and transform students' perspectives regarding cultural norms and values. People's beliefs, customs, experiences and environment create shared ways of perceiving and engaging in the world. Through dialogue and relationship building, students become more aware of and reflect on multiple perspectives. Guided, critical reflection is a key component to students' transformations as they seek a deeper understanding of another culture as well as their own. A meaningful engagement within the cultural environment inspires students to analyze the foundational assumptions that govern their thoughts and actions.
Goals of the Domestic Intercultural Immersion (DII) Experiences Program
- To engage learners firsthand with various cultures, populations and environments within the U.S.
- To deepen learners' understandings of intercultural dynamics as they relate to the UW-Eau Claire Liberal Education Learning Goals.
Participation in the Domestic Intercultural Immersion Experience projects will help students to:
- Develop new perspectives of the world and their interactions in it,
- Deepen their academic knowledge and practical experiences,
- Expand your interpersonal and intercultural skills,
- Make new friendships,
- Engage in the environment of the project and take learning outside of the classroom,
- Develop skill sets necessary for their future careers, and
- See their world in a whole new light.
Students who desire to participate in any of the DII Experiences projects below, should contact the project leader listed. Students may be asked to apply for the project and complete research projects, complete surveys, write papers, etc.
Domestic Intercultural Immersion Experience Projects 2012-13:
- Appalachian Immersion
- Embracing the Somali Immigrant Experience in Midwestern Public Schools
- Lac Courte Oreilles Spring Break Immersion Trip
- Engaging Religious Pluralism & Urban Service
- Undergraduate Hmong Immigrant Student Experiences in Fresno, CA
- Water Ecology in Cajun Louisiana
- Immersion Clinical for Nursing Students: Health Screening and Promotion for Migrant Farm Workers in Western Wisconsin
- CJ 491 Special Topics: Race, Class and Gender on the Civil Rights Trail
- Understanding the Intercultural Experiences of an Aspiring Artist: Exploring the Transition from the "Big City" of Eau Claire to The Big Apple
- Inclusive Community Partnerships in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
 Project Title: Appalachian Immersion |
 Project Title: Embracing the Somali Immigrant Experience in Midwestern Public Schools |
 Project Title: Lac Courte Oreille Spring Break Immersion Trip |
 Project Title: Engaging Religious Pluralism & Urban Service |
 Project Title: Undergraduate Hmong Immigrant Student Experiences in Fresno, CA |
 Project Title: Water Ecology in Cajun Louisiana |
 Project Title: Immersion Clinical for Nursing Students: Health Screening and Promotion for Migrant Farm Workers in Western Wisconsin |
 Project Title: CJ 491 Special Topics: Race, Class and Gender on the Civil Rights Trail |
 Project Title: Understanding the Intercultural Experiences of an Aspiring Artist: Exploring the Transition from the "Big City" of Eau Claire to The Big Apple |
 Project Title: Inclusive Community Partnerships in Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
