ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3166-7971

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Education (Ed.D.)

Department

Administrative and Instructional Leadership

First Advisor

KATHERINE C. AQUINO

Second Advisor

CECEILIA PARNTHER

Third Advisor

JOAN I. BIRRINGER-HAIG

Abstract

As students need to attain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to live and work in a diverse global society, they participate in study abroad opportunities offered by higher education institutions to assist them with intercultural learning. However, prior research shows that the level of intercultural learning in study abroad programs can vary substantially. The purpose of this case study is to investigate how a program’s use of pre-departure training relates to the development of global competence in participants of a short-term study abroad program. The participants of this study come from a purposive sample who attended a community college in a large urban city in the northeastern part of the United States. These participants, who were diverse in age, ethnicity, and academic background, were interviewed after they participated in a pre-departure training program before partaking in a one-week study abroad experience in Central Europe. The pre-departure training was designed to develop student skills in empathy, intercultural communication, and collaboration. Questionnaires, reflection essays, and interview transcripts collected from these students were synthesized, coded, and analyzed. Results suggested that the pre-departure training developed global competence in its students by increasing their capacity and disposition to understand diverse people and act on issues of global significance. Thus, higher education institutions should consider offering this intentional pre-departure training program to all study abroad students to produce more effective leaders and responsible citizens required for a dynamic world.

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