The Importance of Cross-Cultural Learning in the Design Disciplines: A Case Study Reviewing a Series of Short Term Study Tours Designed to Support Cross-Cultural Exchange in the Asia-Pacific Region

摘要: Short-term overseas study tours are integral in tertiary education, and even more so disciplines, such as design, that utilize create culture. While these offer limited guided breadth of experience a foreign culture, they represent an innovative global opportunity for students whom otherwise may not have the time, inclination, or simply cannot afford to travel overseas. This intercultural opens students’ vision world new cultures, different people their customs, ways thinking doing. Experiential learning is especially important creative disciplines where user-centred approach crucial. In design creation has very definite purpose, which cater needs wants people. A better understanding cultures also means people, this knowledge, vital designers working interconnected world, can be acquired through trips. To support tours, authors applied secured continuing Australian Government funding organize facilitate annual series short-term tours. The give Bachelor Graphic Industrial Design at University Canberra experiences creating, exhibiting critiquing Asia. Funding supported Shanghai (2012), Hong Kong (2013), Singapore (2014) future tour Japan (2015) Shanghai/Beijing (2015). initial trip “Inspired by Shanghai” 2012 focused on creating original body work tasked with exhibition graphic posters visualise culture own. Subsequently 2013, were provided Chinese studying wayfinding signage most recent trip, 2014, program was opened up include looked Packaging Environmental Graphics Singapore. paper reflects how elements student recruitment retention well opportunities products IP, build partnerships industry relationships continued research thus supporting sustainable higher education.