Cultural Intelligence and Short-Term Study Abroad Length: The Effect of an Undergraduate Cultural Development Course and Short-Term Study Abroad Program on Student CQ

Abstract

Some colleges, departments, and study abroad offices have developed cultural development courses and study abroad opportunities designed to help improve students’ cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills. Some evidence suggests combining these approaches can be effective at helping students increase their Cultural Intelligence (CQ). This study examined the effects of a combined semester long, on-campus cultural development course followed by either a three- or six-week faculty-led study abroad program on student CQ. Students in both short-term programs increased in all four CQ domains (motivation, cognitive, metacognitive and behavior CQ) relative to a comparison group. No differences were found between the three- and six-week program for motivation, cognition, and behavior. However, there was a significant difference in metacognitive CQ between the two programs. Our study suggests participating in a semester-long cultural development course prior to a short-term study abroad increases undergraduate students’ motivation, cognitive, metacognitive, and behavior CQ.