The Impact of Cultural Context on the Structure and the Curriculum of an Academic Exchange Program

This article analyses the impact of the cultural context, as reflected in the characteristics of faculty members and students of two academic institutions, on the structure and curriculum of an exchange program. This impact was evident in the many changes introduced into the exchange program during its operation over the years. Most were ad-hoc changes, often implemented as immediate responses to difficulties that arose. The effects of the cultural contexts of both partner institutions on the need for changes in the structure of the program's curriculum are examined. The findings suggest that these effects operate as a hidden force from within, and may be more influential than any coherent and comprehensive academic rationale unless the program designers take account of cultural context as a supportive pillar in the structure and curriculum of the exchange program