Evaluating the effectiveness of a short-term study abroad program for school psychology graduate students

The present study investigated the results of a short-term study abroad program for school psychology graduate students. The results of three years of one university\u27s study abroad program were compared to results of the university\u27s on-campus multicultural training course. Pre/post test intercultural development assessments were used to assess the growth in intercultural competence of the participating school psychology graduate students in both groups. Findings indicated that the difference in growth in intercultural competence between the two groups was not statistically significant. A supplemental tool was also used to collect qualitative data from some of the study abroad participants. A review of responses suggested that possible change was observed in areas related to knowing oneself as cultural and communications across cultural differences. Implications for school psychology training programs and suggestions for future research are discussed