Between Worlds

This chapter, per the authors, explores the transformative impact of a semester-long study abroad experience in Wenzhou, China, on the development of intercultural competence, identity formation, and global citizenship. Drawing on lived experiences as a “Third Culture Kid” and later as an exchange student, the chapter examines how immersion in a culturally distinct environment fosters empathy, adaptability, and self-awareness. Through the lenses of established intercultural frameworks, including Bennett's Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity and Byram's Intercultural Communicative Competence, the chapter analyzes the emotional, social, and cognitive processes that occur as individuals navigate cultural differences. Key themes include the negotiation of belonging, the role of host-country friendships in cultural learning, the challenges and growth associated with culture shock, and the redefinition of culture and diversity beyond surface-level understandings.