Secondary Short-term Study Abroad Programs as a Pathway for Increased Tertiary Intercultural Competence and Global Engagement

Abstract

In this qualitative study, the researcher considered the concept of short-term study abroad at the secondary level as a pathway to increased participation in international programs in higher education institutions (HEIs) and beyond. To effectively prepare students to live and work in a global economy, many HEIs offer study abroad programs as a method of increasing the intercultural competence of participants. However, myriad students in underserved populations perceive study abroad programs as out of their reach, while others have never even considered it. Using an interpretative phenomenological analysis, the researcher interviewed university students who attended high school in an underserved community in the northeast United States. Through a series of interviews, these former high school short-term study abroad participants recounted their experiences abroad and offered numerous examples of the deep impact international programming had on their intercultural competence and its impact on their future international experiences. The results of the study indicated short-term study abroad programs at the secondary level increased the intercultural competence of participants and promoted further international experiences at university and beyond.