According to Stachowski, the students are challenged to learn about other cultures through their experiences. They end up examining their own values, and many report they find ways to incorporate the best of both worlds. The Cultural Immersion project has been part of the student teaching experience for many students at IU since the mid-1970s. She became director in 1994. Most recently, she added India to the list of countries where students can do student teaching through the Overseas Project.
Work is under way to add Taiwan to the list for future students.
The program, which focuses on the needs of Spanish-speaking children, allows students to receive bilingual and bicultural education endorsements through their student teaching work. Whitehead chose to participate in the American Indian Reservation Project because of her long-term interest in Native American culture. She learned as a child that she has some Native American heritage, which she said prompted her to study that culture. During the project, students teach on Navajo reservations in Arizona, New Mexico or Utah. They live free of charge in a dorm adjoining the school, in exchange for certain responsibilities.