A Comparative Study of Learning Styles and Cultural Values between Korean and American University Students in Hospitality and Tourism Programs

The purpose of the study is to examine learning styles of students in hospitality and tourism programs in Korea and the US. In addition, the study compares cultural values of the two countries and applies results of different cultural values of the two countries to explain differences in learning styles. The results show that American students were more likely to be individualists; whereas Korean students are less tolerant of the ambiguous and the unpredictable. Korean students are likely to perceive their society as more masculine than their counterpart, American students. In addition, Korean students are evenly distributed between active and reflective learners while more American students are active learners. More Korean students are likely to be global learners; whereas more American students are sequential learners. Findings of this study not only enrich the literature of learning styles and cultural values, but also provide practical implications for hospitality and tourism programs and educators in higher education to guide proactive engagement in global educational issues.