International student mobility programs and effects on student teachers' perceptions and beliefs about education and their role as future educators

The aim of this study was to examine the valueand benefits obtained from a semester length academicexchange for Australian early childhood teacher educationstudents in equivalent programs in selected European sites.The data obtained from interviews conducted in thisqualitative study indicated that students involved in theinternational mobility program experienced changes to theirown sense of identity and their perception of other culturalpractices and attitudes. In particular, the students' international experiences caused them to reflect deeply onmatters of early childhood practice in their host and homecountries and these reflections led, in some cases, toreconsiderations of their future role as practitioners. The students' reflections also offer the university sector somepoints to consider with respect to student mobility programs, particularly in how participants are supported in interpretingtheir overseas experience.