Study Abroad and School Psychologists’ Perceptions of Intercultural Competence

Abstract

This study investigated perceived influence of study abroad experiences on intercultural competence in school psychologists and school psychologists-in-training. This exploratory descriptive qualitative analysis involved semi-structured interviews with a purposively sampled group (n = 20) of school psychologists (n = 10) and school psychology graduate students (n = 10) who studied abroad during their undergraduate or graduate programs. Participants responded to questions about their study abroad experience, how it affected them, what they learned about other cultures, and how it affected their career or career preparation. Four themes were identified: (1) awareness of cultural similarities and differences; (2) recognition of privilege; (3) development of empathy; and (4) shaping of professional practice. Participants reported that their study abroad experiences had a positive impact on their perceived intercultural competence. Implications for school psychology training programs and suggestions for future research are discussed.