Cultural adjustment patterns in short-term study abroad: A case study analysis of incoming first-year students’ intercultural development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v38i1.1099Keywords:
Berry’s acculturation model, higher education, intercultural competence, incoming first-year, study abroadAbstract
Intercultural competence is essential for STEM undergraduates in a globalized workforce. This case study examines the intercultural development of incoming first-year students during a short-term study abroad program in Germany and Spain. The research integrates quantitative data from the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI) and qualitative analysis of students’ 52-page reflection handbooks, analyzed using Berry’s acculturation framework to trace individual trajectories. The study addresses a critical gap by examining the highly individualized, varied paths of cultural adjustment in a traditionally understudied STEM incoming first-year cohort. Four categories of adjustment were identified: Resisters (Separation to Marginalization), Seekers (Marginalization to Assimilation), Adapters (Separation to Assimilation), and Embracers (Separation to Integration). These categories reveal diverse intercultural development trajectories, shaped by individual strategies, personal characteristics, and cultural challenges. While Embracers showed the most significant progress toward integration, other groups experienced varying levels of growth, highlighting the complexities of cultural adjustment. Notably, female students demonstrated a greater propensity toward Integration compared to male students, who mostly achieved Assimilation. The findings highlight the importance of structured pre-departure preparation, reflective practices, and tailored interventions. This study affirms the potential of short-term programs to foster intercultural competence in STEM undergraduates.
Downloads
References
Adams, J. J., Love, C., Armstrong, C., Patel, D. A., Jaiswal, A., Aggrawal, S., & Starr, L. (2025). Exploring the Interplay Between Teamwork and Intercultural Competence in STEM Education. In 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Canada. https://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--56542
Aggrawal, S., Jaiswal, A., & Dewan, A. (2024). Enhancing Intercultural Competence Through Structured Study Abroad Program. 2024 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), Washington, DC, USA. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE61694.2024.10893564
Aggrawal, S., & Magana, A. J. (2024). Teamwork conflict management training and conflict resolution practice via large language models. Future Internet, 16(5), 177. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi16050177
Anderson, P. H., Lawton, L., Rexeisen, R. J., & Hubbard, A. C. (2006). Short-term study abroad and intercultural sensitivity: A pilot study. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 30(4), 457–469. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2005.10.004
Bahrami, P., Kim, Y., Jaiswal, A., Patel, D., Aggrawal, S., & Magana, A. J. (2023). Information technology undergraduate students’ intercultural value orientations and their beliefs about the influence of such orientations on teamwork interactions. Trends in Higher Education, 2(2), 270-282. https://doi.org/10.3390/higheredu2020014
Berg, M. V., Connor-Linton, J., & Paige, R. M. (2009). The Georgetown Consortium Project: Interventions for Student Learning Abroad. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 18(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v18i1.251
Berry, J. W. (1997). Immigration, Acculturation, and Adaptation. Applied Psychology, 46(1), 5–34. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.1997.tb01087.x
Berry, J. W. (2005). Acculturation: Living successfully in two cultures. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 29(6), 697–712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2005.07.013
Bittinger, M., Jin, L., & Dou, X. K. (2022). From Pre-Freshman Abroad to Freshman On-Campus: Examining Intercultural Competence Development Through an Extended Journey. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 34(1), 61–96. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v34i1.636
Bloom, M., & Miranda, A. (2015). Intercultural sensitivity through short-term study abroad. Language and intercultural communication, 15(4), 567-580. https://doi.org/10.1080/14708477.2015.1056795
Choy, B., Arunachalam, K., Taylor, M., & Lee, A. (2021). Systematic review: Acculturation strategies and their impact on the mental health of migrant populations. Public Health in Practice, 2, 100069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2020.100069
Cordua, F., & Netz, N. (2022). Why do women more often intend to study abroad than men? Higher Education, 83(5), 1079–1101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-021-00731-6
Deardorff, D. K. (2006). Identification and assessment of intercultural competence as a student outcome of internationalization. Journal of Studies in International Education, 10(3), 241–266. https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315306287002
DeCrescenzo, Peter, & Jangha, S. (2023) GIFTS: Making Research Experiences Meaningful through Critical Self-Reflection. 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, USA. http://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--43807
Demetry, C., & Vaz, R. F. (2017). Influence of an Education Abroad Program on the Intercultural Sensitivity of STEM Undergraduates: A Mixed Methods Study. Advances in Engineering Education, 6(1). https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1138841
Dwyer, M. M. (2004). More Is Better: The Impact of Study Abroad Program Duration. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10(1), 151–164. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v10i1.139
Grant, J. L. (2019). Development of Intercultural Competence Through Short-Term Study Abroad Programming [Master’s thesis, Purdue University Graduate School]. https://doi.org/10.25394/PGS.8279381
Guillén-Yparrea, N., & Ramírez-Montoya, M. S. (2023). Intercultural Competencies in Higher Education: A systematic review from 2016 to 2021. Cogent Education, 10(1), 2167360. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2167360
Hammer, M. R. (2011). Additional cross-cultural validity testing of the Intercultural Development Inventory. International journal of intercultural relations, 35(4), 474-487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2011.02.014
Hensista, I., Guddeti, S., Patel, D. A., Aggrawal, S., Nanda, G., & Magana, A. J. (2023). Transformative Pedagogy as a Reflective Approach for Promoting Intercultural Self-Awareness in the Context of Teamwork. 2023 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), College Station, TX, USA, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE58773.2023.10343079
Inoue, M., Waithaka, E., Ihara, E. S., Tompkins, C. J., Donnelly, C., & Spinelli, L. (2023). Exploring Students’ Experience of Study Abroad: Short Programs in Japan. The International Journal of Diversity in Education, 23(2), 37. https://doi.org/10.18848/2327-0020/CGP/v23i02/37-49
Jackson, J. (2018). Interculturality in International Education. Routledge.
Jaiswal, A., Aggrawal, S., & Madana, V. R. (2025a). Gender differences in global identity development: Implications for intercultural competence in higher education. In 2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD), USA. http://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--54093
Jaiswal, A., Aggrawal, S., & Madana, V. R. (2025b). Exploring Gender Dynamics in Intercultural Competence Development through a Study Abroad Program. In 2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD), USA. http://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--54088
Jaiswal, A., & Sapkota, M. (2024). Global horizons: Assessing the impact of study abroad programs on intercultural competence development pre-college technology students. Journal of International Engineering Education, 6(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.23860/jiee.2024.06.01.02
Jaiswal, A., Sapkota, M., & Acheson, K. (2024). Bridging borders: Assessing the impact of semester-long study abroad programs on intercultural competence development in undergraduate engineering students. International Journal of STEM Education, 11(1), 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-024-00483-6
Jin, L., Jaiswal, A., Jones, D. C., Sapkota, M., McClure, S. N., & Stahl, A. (2024). Enhancing Intercultural Learning in Study Abroad Through an Online Curriculum in Group-Mentored Intervention. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 36(1), 350–383. https://frontiersjournal.org/index.php/Frontiers/article/view/811
Kimura, H., & Hayashi, B. (2019). Identity development through study abroad experiences: Storied accounts. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching, 9(3), 473–493.
Krsmanovic, M. (2020). “I Was New and I Was Afraid”: The Acculturation Strategies Adopted by International First-Year Undergraduate Students in the United States. Journal of International Students, 10(4), 954-975. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v10i4.1160
Kuffuor, O., Aggrawal, S., Jaiswal, A., Smith, R. J., & Morris, P. V. (2024). Transformative pathways: Implementing intercultural competence development in higher education using Kotter’s change model. Education Sciences, 14(7), 686. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14070686
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. FT press.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1986). But is it rigorous? Trustworthiness and authenticity in naturalistic evaluation. New Directions for Program Evaluation, 1986(30), 73–84. https://doi.org/10.1002/ev.1427
Lomicka, L., & Ducate, L. (2021). Using technology, reflection, and noticing to promote intercultural learning during short-term study abroad. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 34(1–2), 35–65. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2019.1640746
Lou, K. H., & Bosley, G. W. (2023). Facilitating intercultural learning abroad: The intentional, targeted intervention model. In Student learning abroad (pp. 335–359). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003447184-17
Magana, A. J., Amuah, T., Aggrawal, S., & Patel, D. A. (2023). Teamwork dynamics in the context of large-size software development courses. International Journal of STEM Education, 10(1), 57. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-023-00451-6
Maharaja, G. (2018). The Impact of Study Abroad on College Students’ Intercultural Competence and Personal Development. International Research and Review, Vol. 7 Issue 2, p18-41. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=Ej1188735
Nelson, J., Cheh, K., Garg, A., Dewan, A., Jaiswal, A., & Aggrawal, S. (2025). Building Intercultural Skills in Engineering Students through Study Abroad. In 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Canada. http://doi.org/10.18260/1-2--56040
Niehaus, E., & Nyunt, G. (2023). Uncovering the potential learning in short-term study abroad. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 60(3), 417-432. https://doi.org/10.1080/19496591.2021.1997758
Passarelli, A. M., & Kolb, D. A. (2023). Using experiential learning theory to promote student learning and development in programs of education abroad. In Student learning abroad (pp. 137-161). Routledge.
Pinto, S. (2018). Intercultural competence in higher education: Academics’ perspectives. On the Horizon, 26(2), 137–147. https://doi.org/10.1108/OTH-02-2018-0011
Prieto-Arranz, J. I., Juan-Garau, M., & Mesquida-Mesquida, F. (2023). “Open Your Mind, Sharpen Your Wits”: A Narrative Approach to the Benefits of Study Abroad as Perceived by Erasmus+ Students. Journal of Language, Identity & Education, 22(3), 216–231. https://doi.org/10.1080/15348458.2020.1871352
Puckett, T., & Lind, N. S. (2020). Cultural competence in higher education. Emerald Group Publishing. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=x_L3DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR1&dq=Cultural+competence+in+higher+education.+Emerald+Publishing+Limited.&ots=qPbrsxCj4U&sig=Hc9LtX2FEKsABrUBGrDxnHBo92k
Sarwari, A. Q., Adnan, H. M., Rahamad, M. S., & Abdul Wahab, M. N. (2024). The Requirements and Importance of Intercultural Communication Competence in the 21st Century. Sage Open, 14(2), 21582440241243119. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241243119
Spenader, A., Ruis, J., & Bohn-Gettler, C. (2022) Writing for Intercultural Growth on Study Abroad in Australia. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad. v34(2): 323-350. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v34i2.553
Terzuolo, E. R. (2018). Intercultural development in study abroad: Influence of student and program characteristics. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 65, 86–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2018.05.001
Tompkins, A., Cook, T., Miller, E., & LePeau, L. A. (2017). Gender Influences on Students’ Study Abroad Participation and Intercultural Competence. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 54(2), 204–216. https://doi.org/10.1080/19496591.2017.1284671
Tomkins, L., & Ulus, E. (2016). ‘Oh, was that “experiential learning”?!’Spaces, synergies and surprises with Kolb’s learning cycle. Management Learning, 47(2), 158-178. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350507615587451
Vande Berg, M., Connor-Linton, J., & Paige, R. M. (2009). The Georgetown consortium project: Interventions for student learning abroad. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 18(1), 1-75. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v18i1.251
Verbyla, M. E., Vernaza-Hernandez, V., & Feldman, A. (2024). International Research Experiences and Global Competency Development for Graduate Students in Engineering and Science. Journal of Studies in International Education, 28(2), 221–239. https://doi.org/10.1177/10283153231172019
Wang, J., & Halenko, N. (2022). Developing the use of formulaic language for study abroad: A targeted instructional intervention. The Language Learning Journal, 50(4), 409–426. https://doi.org/10.1080/09571736.2022.2088446
Witkowsky, P., & Mendez, S. L. (2018). Influence of a Short-Term Study Abroad Experience on Professional Competencies and Career Aspirations of Graduate Students in Student Affairs. Journal of College Student Development, 59(6), 769–775. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/csd.2018.0073
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Aparajita Jaiswal, Sakhi Aggrawal, Vidya Reddy Madana
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
