Impact Study - Student Preparation

Solution

The study abroad office worked with the Cultural Intelligence Center to develop a strategy for effectively using the assessment and supporting curriculum to more strategically use the programs to improve CQ. The school held an In-House CQ Certification to get study abroad leaders, faculty, career services, and administrators equipped to use and de-brief the CQ Assessments. A curriculum was developed with intensive and meaningful intervention strategies including:

• Taking the CQ Assessment Pre-Trip
• Pre-trip CQ training
• Team building exercises
• Experiential activities during the trip focused on the four CQ capabilities
• Taking the CQ Assessment Post-Trip
• Post-Trip Reflection Paper and Discussion

In addition, other resources and tools were made available to students to support the development of their CQ through the trip.

Results

Based on Pre and Post CQ Assessment scores, students showed significant improvement in three of the four CQ capabilities (CQ Knowledge, CQ Strategy and CQ Action).

These results have implications far beyond the students’ study abroad experiences. Research shows that CQ scores predict performance in culturally diverse situations. The increase in students’ CQ scores has positive implications for their effectiveness in the marketplace at home or abroad.

Based on the cultural intelligence research, the university can be confident that the students improved the following skills:

• Cross-Cultural Adaptation
• Intercultural judgment, decision-making
• Cross-border negotiation
• Strategic leadership effectiveness.

As these students prepare to transition into the workplace, each of their CQ capabilities will help them function effectively in the global work environment