TITLE

Lived Experiences of Filipino Educators in the J-1 Teaching Program: Navigating Cultural Exchange and Professional Growth in the United States

AUTHOR

Aaron Christopher G. Fabian
University of Perpetual Help System-DALTA, Las Piñas City, Philippines
Email: fabiana@bcsdschools.net

JOURNAL INFORMATION

QualiSearch Journal of Educational Research and Practice
Volume 2, Issue 3, March 2026
ISSN 3082-5636

DOI

DOI: Pending Crossref registration

ABSTRACT

This study explored the lived experiences of Filipino educators participating in the J-1 Teaching Program in the United States, with particular emphasis on cultural exchange and professional growth. Grounded in a qualitative phenomenological design, the research sought to capture the essence of participants’ experiences as they navigated cross-cultural teaching environments. Five Filipino educators were purposively selected based on their active engagement in the program and completion of at least one academic term. Data were generated through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method, involving systematic extraction of significant statements, formulation of meanings, and clustering into emergent themes. Findings revealed a coherent structure of experience characterized by five interrelated themes: Teaching as Ethical Inclusion, Reflection as Moral Inquiry and Renewal, Empathy as the Heart of Intercultural Pedagogy, Adaptability as Creative Resilience in Pedagogical Practice, and Cultural Humility and Transformative Leadership. These themes collectively informed the development of the FABIAN Framework, which conceptualizes the J-1 teaching experience as a cycle of moral and professional transformation. Participants described their journeys as marked by continuous adaptation, reflective practice, and the negotiation of cultural identities within diverse classroom contexts. The study contributes to the understanding of international teacher mobility by positioning cross-cultural teaching as a moral and transformative endeavor rather than solely a professional undertaking. Implications are drawn for institutional policy, teacher preparation programs, and host-school mentoring systems to better support global educators.

Keywords

J-1 Teacher Exchange, Filipino Educators, Cultural Exchange, Professional Growth, Phenomenology, FABIAN Framework

CITATION (APA FORMAT)

Fabian, A. C. G. (2026). Lived experiences of Filipino educators in the J-1 teaching program: Navigating cultural exchange and professional growth in the United States. QualiSearch Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 2(3).

Corresponding Author

Aaron Christopher G. Fabian (fabiana@bcsdschools.net)

License

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Published

March 2026