Simulating Culture Shock in Counselor Trainees: An Experiential Exercise for Cross‐Cultural Training

Abstract

The authors describe a bipartite learning exercise designed to increase counselor trainees' sensitivity to cultural differences. The exercise emphasizes extending traditional, cognitive‐focused multicultural training to include actual interactions with culturally diverse persons. A 2‐ month follow‐up evaluation indicated that trainees viewed the learning exercise as valuable. Suggestions are made for infusing similar experientially based exercises into diverse counseling courses.