The Impacts of Costa Rican Short Term Study Abroad on the Intercultural Competencies of Business Students in a Small, Rural, Public University

Abstract

Pre- and post- intercultural competency results are compared from multiple groups of undergraduate students participating in short-term (<14 days) study abroad to students completing junior-level course work in global business and to students participating in an introductory global business course with cultural mentors. Cultural competencies were measured by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU) value rubric Intercultural Knowledge and Competence along with global literacy from the Miville-Guzman Universality Diversity Scale (MGUDS-S). General demographic information, previous international experience, and general global literacy exposure were collected for each student. Results from this study found short-term study abroad programs are more effective than traditional business curriculum to improve the intercultural competencies of undergraduate students. A key finding indicates that for students to develop intercultural competencies, it is essential to have personal contact and experiences with those from different cultures.

Keywords: Intercultural Competencies, Short Term Study Abroad, Global Business Education

JEL Classification: M1, I21