Intercultural competency development through a study abroad program

Abstract

Recently, more and more universities are focusing on short-term study abroad programs.However, the actual advantages of such programs have not yet been empirically tested. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate whether such study abroad programs can influence participants and improve an individual's intercultural competence. Using both reflections found in journals and follow-up interviews, the study aims to reflect the key factors that contribute to the intercultural development of the study participants. This paper elicits and examines the students' study abroad experiences, particularly in the minimal impacts on the levels of intercultural competence and results of the 2011 summer study abroad program. It is hoped that future study abroad programs will find that this new approach can not only help college students learn better but that it will also shed light on the importance of intercultural competence through dialogue. Further studies are recommended with respect to the duration of the study abroad programs and the quantity/quality of the various activities involved in the enhancement of the students' intercultural competence.

Fostering Global Competence through Short-Term Study Abroad

“…Some of these assessments are commercial products that are not free of charge. Studies have also used their own surveys (Reynolds-Case, 2013;Shiri, 2015) and questionnaires (Chieffo & Griffiths, 2004;Ingraham & Peterson, 2004), as well as student journals (Dressler & Tweedie, 2016;Hsu, 2014;Palmer & Menard-Warwick, 2012), reflective essays or course papers (Peckenpaugh, 2016;Root & Ngampornchai, 2013), and interviews (Blood & Ludewig, 2016;Czerwionka, Artamonova, & Barbosa, 2015;Jackson, 2009;Palmer & Menard-Warwick, 2012) to assess the impact of study abroad on students' intercultural competence. In the current study, intercultural competence is defined as "competence that can be applied to dealing with cross-cultural contact in general, not just skills useful for dealing with a particular other culture" (Bennett, 2012, p. 91).…”

Developing a scale to measure the situational changes in short-term study abroad programs

“…They further mentioned that the concepts of global awareness among the students who study abroad are significantly higher than those who stayed at their home campus. This notion also holds true in numerous cross-cultural or intercultural competency studies (Allen, 2010;Hsu, 2014;Matsumoto et al, 2001;van der Zee & van Oudenhoven, 2000, 2001Yamazaki & Kayes, 2004). More important is that the results of these previous studies, all of which hinting the need for prior preparation in facing the situational changes that occurs when encountering a new culture.…”

“…Various researches have been undertaken to measure the effects of study abroad (Roy, Wandschneider, & Steglitz, 2014). Besides the noted improvement cause by foreign language exposures (Allen, 2010;Hsu, 2014); study abroad have long been said to have provided significant effects for an individuals' future career. Norris and Gillespie (2009) noted in their study of 17,000 US students who participated in study abroad programs, that majority of the respondents show significant career impact such as foreign language use and international contacts.…”