Situated Learning of International Students through Internship in Japan : Professor as Reflexive Anthropologist Managing Uchi/Soto Relations

Abstract

In this article I will examine how cultural factors such as uchi/soto (inside/outside) concept and power relationship function in operation of internship practicum for international exchange students in Japan, who participated in Hiroshima University Study Abroad Program (HUSA Program) , from perspective of a reflexive anthropologist. The operation of internship course works very differently from a majority of university courses due to its characteristics of requiring cooperation from local industry, local administration, local associations, etc. International experiential learning requires understanding of various cultural practices in authentic contexts, and students are required to connect their higher-order knowledge obtained in university with situated practices in everyday context. The major focus of paper is on important cultural concepts in management of international exchange students’ internship that is closely associated with local society. I will examine these concepts based on actual cases in which international exchange students worked with local administration and local society for projects to revitalize local society in a course titled the Globalization Support Internship.” 3 I have been offering this internship course since 2003 and in 2012 I changed paradigm of this course to student-initiative type internship. The conceptual framework of this paper is limited to context of internship management for international exchange students in Japan. The characteristics of international exchange students with diverse cultural backgrounds add further complexity in management of internship practicum when students closely work with local people whose lives are based on conventional practices. By objectifying my role