Developing Cultural Intelligence and Transformational Leadership Through Participation in Short-Term Study Abroad Programs

This paper explores the concepts of cultural intelligence (CQ) and transformational leadership in the context of graduate students’ participation in short term study abroad programs offered at a small, private university. While existing literature is explored, the findings discovered through a self-conducted research study, indicate that participation in these particular programs raised levels of motivational and behavioral CQ significantly amongst participants. The author utilized a pre and post-test design to survey two programs, one that traveled to Northern Ireland and the other to Brazil. In connection with the rise of CQ, therein lies the possibility for participants to adopt characteristics of transformational leadership. By possessing the knowledge and capabilities to adjust one’s behavior when interacting with individuals from other cultures, there is a higher chance of stimulating positive influence and success amongst followers in a global organization