“It Turns Theories into Realities”: Student and Teacher Reflections on the Pedagogical Value of Short-term Mobility Programs and the Making of Global Citizens

Abstract

This article investigates the pedagogical value of short-term international mobility programs, focusing on a 2024 sociological study tour to Indonesia. Using a dialogical autoethnographic approach that incorporates both student and teacher reflections, we examine how immersive study tours, often dismissed as academically shallow or exploitative, can foster transformative learning. Through cultural immersion, students are challenged to apply erstwhile theoretical concepts to practical situations, confront cultural differences, and develop critical soft skills such as intercultural competency and reflexivity. The findings reveal that well-structured short-term mobility programs can significantly enhance personal growth, professional development, and the development of critical global citizenship. The article concludes by outlining key pedagogical lessons arguing that when grounded in clear outcomes, reflexive assessment and ethical design, short-term mobility programs offer enduring personal, academic, and professional benefits for humanities students.