Intercultural Competence in Short-Term Study Abroad
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v29i2.396Keywords:
Short-term study abroad, Intercultural competence, Intercultural effectiveness scale, Study abroad, Education abroadAbstract
Assessment is growing for short-term study abroad as the majority of students (63.1%) continue to choose this option (Institute of International Education, 2016). This study examines possible gains and factors influencing such gains in students’ overall intercultural competency following participation in a short-term program. Using the Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES) survey distributed before, after, and three months following the study abroad experience, data was analyzed for fifty-five students across eight different short-term programs at three distinct institutions within the state of Texas. Document analysis of program syllabi also looked at connections to structured activities and assignments. The results demonstrate the potential for short-term study abroad programs ranging from two to five weeks to have significant impacts on students’ self-perceived intercultural competency that appear most affected by intentional structures. These findings support recommended practices of using well-defined activities and assignments, incorporating opportunities for meaningful local interaction, and providing planned re-entry.
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References
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Association of American Colleges and Universities. (2010). Intercultural Knowledge and Competence VALUE Rubric. Retrieved from http://www.aacu.org/value/rubrics/pdf/InterculturalKnowledge.pdf
Behrnd, V. & Porzelt, S. (2012). Intercultural competence and training outcomes of students with experiences abroad. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 36(2), 213-223.
Bennett, J.M. (2009). Transformative Training: Designing Programs for Cultural Learning. In M.A. Moodian (Ed.), Contemporary leadership and intercultural competence: Exploring the cross-cultural dynamics within organizations (pp. 95-110). Los Angeles, CA: SAGE.
Bird, A., Mendenhall, M., Stevens, M.J., & Oddou, G. (2010). Defining the content domain of intercultural competence for global leaders. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 25(8), 810-828.
Bird, A. & Stevens, M.J. (2013) Assessing Global Leadership Competencies. In Mendenhall, M.E., Osland, J.S., Bird, A., Oddou, G.R., Maznevski, M.L., Stevens, M.J., & Stahl, G.K. (Eds.), Leadership 2e: Research, Practice, and Development (pp. 113-140). New York NY: Routledge.
Bok, D. (2006). Our Underachieving Colleges. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Braskamp, L. A., Braskamp, D., & Merrill, K. (2009). Assessing progress in global learning and development of students with education abroad experiences. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 18, 101-118.
Chieffo, L., & Griffiths, L. (2004). Large-Scale Assessment of Student Attitudes after a Short-Term Study Abroad Program. Frontiers: The interdisciplinary journal of study abroad, 10, 165-177.
Chieffo, L., & Griffiths, L. (2009). Here to stay: Increasing acceptance of short-term study abroad programs. The handbook of practice and research in study abroad: Higher education and the quest for global citizenship, 365-80.
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.
Deardorff, D.K. (2011), Assessing intercultural competence. New Directions for Institutional Research, 2011(149), 65-79.
Deardorff, D.K. & Hunter, W. (2006). Educating global-ready graduates. International Educator, 15(3), 72-83.
Donnelly-Smith, L. (2009). Global learning through short-term study abroad. Peer Review, 11(4), 12.
Dwyer, M. M. (2004). More Is Better: The Impact of Study Abroad Program Duration. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10, 151-163.
Fischer, K. (2009 February 20). Short study-abroad trips can have lasting effect, research suggests. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/article/Short-Study-Abroad-Trips-Can/1541
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Javidan, M. & Bowen, D. (2013). The ‘Global Mindset’ of managers: What it is, why it matters, and how to develop it. Organizational Dynamics, 42(2), 145-155.
Kehl, K., & Morris, J. (2007). Differences in global-mindedness between short-term and semester-long study abroad participants at selected private universities. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 15, 67-79.
Kim, Y. Y. (2001). Becoming intercultural: An integrative theory of communication and cross-cultural adaptation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Lewis, T.L., & Niesenbaum, R.A. (2005a). Extending the stay: Using community-based research and service learning to enhance short-term study abroad. Journal of Studies in International Education, 9(3), 251-264.
Lewis, T.L., & Niesenbaum, R.A. (2005b). The benefits of short-term study abroad. Chronicle of Higher Education, 51(39), B20.
Long, S.O., Akande, Y.S., Purdy, R.W., & Nakano, K. (2010). Deepening Learning and Inspiring Rigor Bridging Academic and Experiential Learning Using a Host Country Approach to a Study Tour. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14(1), 89-111.
Medina-Lopez-Portillo, A. (2004). Intercultural Learning Assessment: The Link between Program Duration and the Development of Intercultural Sensitivity. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10, 179-199.
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Mills, L. H., Deviney, D., & Ball, B. (2010). Short-term study abroad programs: A diversity of options. The Journal of Human Resource and Adult Learning, 6(2), 1-13.
Paige, R. M., Fry, G. W., Stallman, E. M., Josić, J., & Jon, J. E. (2009). Study abroad for global engagement: The long‐term impact of mobility experiences. Intercultural Education, 20(sup1), S29-S44.
Pedersen, P.J. (2010). Assessing intercultural effectiveness outcomes in a year-long study abroad program. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 34(1), 70-80.
Schaettim, B.F., Ramsey, S.J., & Watanabe, G.C. (2009). From Intercultural Knowledge to Intercultural Competence: Developing an Intercultural Practice. In M.A. Moodian (Ed.), Contemporary leadership and intercultural competence: Exploring the cross-cultural dynamics within organizations (pp. 125-144). Los Angeles, CA: SAGE.
Spencer, S. E., & Tuma, K. (Eds.). (2002). The guide to successful short-term programs abroad. Washington, DC: NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
Stebleton, M.J., Soria, K.M., & Cherney, B.T. (2013). The High Impact of Education Abroad: College Students’ Engagement in International Experiences and the Development of Intercultural Competencies. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 22, 1-24.
Tarrant, M. A., Rubin, D. L., & Stoner, L. (2014). The Added Value of Study Abroad Fostering a Global Citizenry. Journal of Studies in International Education, 18(2), 141-161.
The Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES). (2013). KozaiGroup.com. Retrived from http://kozaigroup.com/inventories/the-intercultural-effectiveness-scale/
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, 1-75.
Vande Berg, M., Paige, R. M., & Lou, K. H. (2012). Student learning abroad: What our students are learning, what they’re not, and what we can do about it. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing, LLC.
Association of American Colleges and Universities. (2010). Intercultural Knowledge and Competence VALUE Rubric. Retrieved from http://www.aacu.org/value/rubrics/pdf/InterculturalKnowledge.pdf
Behrnd, V. & Porzelt, S. (2012). Intercultural competence and training outcomes of students with experiences abroad. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 36(2), 213-223.
Bennett, J.M. (2009). Transformative Training: Designing Programs for Cultural Learning. In M.A. Moodian (Ed.), Contemporary leadership and intercultural competence: Exploring the cross-cultural dynamics within organizations (pp. 95-110). Los Angeles, CA: SAGE.
Bird, A., Mendenhall, M., Stevens, M.J., & Oddou, G. (2010). Defining the content domain of intercultural competence for global leaders. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 25(8), 810-828.
Bird, A. & Stevens, M.J. (2013) Assessing Global Leadership Competencies. In Mendenhall, M.E., Osland, J.S., Bird, A., Oddou, G.R., Maznevski, M.L., Stevens, M.J., & Stahl, G.K. (Eds.), Leadership 2e: Research, Practice, and Development (pp. 113-140). New York NY: Routledge.
Bok, D. (2006). Our Underachieving Colleges. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Braskamp, L. A., Braskamp, D., & Merrill, K. (2009). Assessing progress in global learning and development of students with education abroad experiences. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 18, 101-118.
Chieffo, L., & Griffiths, L. (2004). Large-Scale Assessment of Student Attitudes after a Short-Term Study Abroad Program. Frontiers: The interdisciplinary journal of study abroad, 10, 165-177.
Chieffo, L., & Griffiths, L. (2009). Here to stay: Increasing acceptance of short-term study abroad programs. The handbook of practice and research in study abroad: Higher education and the quest for global citizenship, 365-80.
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.
Deardorff, D.K. (2011), Assessing intercultural competence. New Directions for Institutional Research, 2011(149), 65-79.
Deardorff, D.K. & Hunter, W. (2006). Educating global-ready graduates. International Educator, 15(3), 72-83.
Donnelly-Smith, L. (2009). Global learning through short-term study abroad. Peer Review, 11(4), 12.
Dwyer, M. M. (2004). More Is Better: The Impact of Study Abroad Program Duration. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10, 151-163.
Fischer, K. (2009 February 20). Short study-abroad trips can have lasting effect, research suggests. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/article/Short-Study-Abroad-Trips-Can/1541
Gertsen, M.C. (1990). Intercultural competence and expatriates. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 1(3), 341-362.
Green, M.F. (2012). Global Citizenship: What Are We Talking About and Why Does it Matter?. International Educator, 21(3), 124-127.
Hulstrand, J. (2006). Education Abroad on the Fast Track. International Educator, 15(3), 46-55.
Hunter, A. (2008). Transformative learning in international education. In V. Savicki (Ed.), Developing intercultural competence and transformation: Theory, research, and application in international education (pp. 92–107). Sterling, VA: Stylus.
Huq, J. & Lewis, L. (2012). From Collaboration to Campus-Wide Partnership. International Educator (1059-4221), 21(4), 46-51.
IES Abroad. (2011 May 10). Rise in Enrollment for Short-term Study Abroad Customized Programs at IES Abroad Echoes National Trend [Press release]. Retrieved from http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/5/prweb8404836.htm
Institute of International Education (2016). Open Doors Report. IIE.org. Retrieved from www.iie.org/opendoors.
Institute of International Education. (2011).
U.S. Campuses Report that Study Abroad is Rising [Press release]. Retrieved from http://www.iie.org/Who-We-Are/News-and-Events/Press-Center/Press-Releases/2011/2011-11-14-Open-Doors-Fall-Survey-Study-Abroad
Jackson, J. (2008). Globalization, internationalization, and short-term stays abroad. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 32(4), 349-358.
Javidan, M. & Bowen, D. (2013). The ‘Global Mindset’ of managers: What it is, why it matters, and how to develop it. Organizational Dynamics, 42(2), 145-155.
Kehl, K., & Morris, J. (2007). Differences in global-mindedness between short-term and semester-long study abroad participants at selected private universities. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 15, 67-79.
Kim, Y. Y. (2001). Becoming intercultural: An integrative theory of communication and cross-cultural adaptation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Lewis, T.L., & Niesenbaum, R.A. (2005a). Extending the stay: Using community-based research and service learning to enhance short-term study abroad. Journal of Studies in International Education, 9(3), 251-264.
Lewis, T.L., & Niesenbaum, R.A. (2005b). The benefits of short-term study abroad. Chronicle of Higher Education, 51(39), B20.
Long, S.O., Akande, Y.S., Purdy, R.W., & Nakano, K. (2010). Deepening Learning and Inspiring Rigor Bridging Academic and Experiential Learning Using a Host Country Approach to a Study Tour. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14(1), 89-111.
Medina-Lopez-Portillo, A. (2004). Intercultural Learning Assessment: The Link between Program Duration and the Development of Intercultural Sensitivity. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 10, 179-199.
Mendenhall, M. E., Stevens, M. J., Bird, A., Oddou, G. R., & Osland, J. S. (2012). Intercultural Effectiveness Scale Technical Report.
Mills, L. H., Deviney, D., & Ball, B. (2010). Short-term study abroad programs: A diversity of options. The Journal of Human Resource and Adult Learning, 6(2), 1-13.
Paige, R. M., Fry, G. W., Stallman, E. M., Josić, J., & Jon, J. E. (2009). Study abroad for global engagement: The long‐term impact of mobility experiences. Intercultural Education, 20(sup1), S29-S44.
Pedersen, P.J. (2010). Assessing intercultural effectiveness outcomes in a year-long study abroad program. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 34(1), 70-80.
Schaettim, B.F., Ramsey, S.J., & Watanabe, G.C. (2009). From Intercultural Knowledge to Intercultural Competence: Developing an Intercultural Practice. In M.A. Moodian (Ed.), Contemporary leadership and intercultural competence: Exploring the cross-cultural dynamics within organizations (pp. 125-144). Los Angeles, CA: SAGE.
Spencer, S. E., & Tuma, K. (Eds.). (2002). The guide to successful short-term programs abroad. Washington, DC: NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
Stebleton, M.J., Soria, K.M., & Cherney, B.T. (2013). The High Impact of Education Abroad: College Students’ Engagement in International Experiences and the Development of Intercultural Competencies. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 22, 1-24.
Tarrant, M. A., Rubin, D. L., & Stoner, L. (2014). The Added Value of Study Abroad Fostering a Global Citizenry. Journal of Studies in International Education, 18(2), 141-161.
The Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES). (2013). KozaiGroup.com. Retrived from http://kozaigroup.com/inventories/the-intercultural-effectiveness-scale/
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, 1-75.
Vande Berg, M., Paige, R. M., & Lou, K. H. (2012). Student learning abroad: What our students are learning, what they’re not, and what we can do about it. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing, LLC.
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Published
2017-11-16
How to Cite
Nguyen , A. (2017). Intercultural Competence in Short-Term Study Abroad. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 29(2), 109–127. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v29i2.396
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Research Articles
