Between December 29 and January 12, fifteen MU graduate students traveled to Taiwan to develop cross-cultural counseling skills through the Bidirectional Cross-Cultural Immersion Program.The trip was led by Drs. Puncky Heppner and Kathleen Boggs and graduate student Hung Chiao.

"The immersion experience expanded student's worldview, allowing them to taste another, more collectivistic culture and grow in both professional and personal ways," Heppner said. Read more about the students' outcomes in Heppner's faculty blog.

Dr. Li-Chou (Linda) Chen and Dr. Li-fei Wang, both of National Taiwan Normal University, served as primary BCCIP contacts. Heppner indicated that "the immersion program would not be possible if it were not for the generosity and hard work of many people," including NTNU administrators and the Educational Psychology and Counseling department's faculty and students. Chen is the department's chair.

Throughout the BCCIP trip, the MU students posted daily blogs and photos about their experience. Their candid reflections reveal how lessons learned from another culture can contribute to professional knowledge and understanding in the US.

Archived copies of the graduate students' blog pages are linked to this page, as is information about the history and goals of the BCCIP.

Jump to BCCIP
Travelblog entries:

• Jan 12
• Jan 10
• Jan 9
• Jan 8
• Jan 7
• Jan 6
• Jan 5 (2nd entry)
• Jan 5
• Jan 4
• Dec 31
• Dec 30

Blog of Dr. Linda Chen NTNU Department Chair

Closing Blog by Dr. Puncky Heppner, co-leader of MU BCCIP trip.

BCCIP Itinerary

Pre-trip story

Course Syllabus

Center for Multicultural Research, Training & Counsultation

National Taiwan Normal University
(English version available)

Return to main travelblog page

Travelblog Excerpts

"My cultural immersion experience here in Taiwan has been outstanding. I am learning so much about the culture and people of this beautiful country, not to mention making so many great friends." read more... from Counseling Psychology doctoral student, Rebecca Seitz.

 

"After returning from the National Palace Museum, our group split up to join their assigned host families for the weekend. Some of us went to be with families in Taipei, and some took buses to other parts of the island to join theirs."read more... from Counseling Psychology masters student, Joe Hammer.

 

"As our time here draws to a close, I have been thinking a lot about what I will take away from this immersion experience..." from Counseling Psychology doctoral student, Pat Garriott. read more...