An exploration of the role of intercultural training in developing intercultural competency among exchange students : a case study of rotary youth exchange

This study works with Rotary Youth Exchange to investigate the role of predeparture intercultural training in preparing students to study abroad so that they 5 positively integrate their experience to become interculturally competent people. The Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES) along with an intercultural background survey were administered to each student during the first one to four months of his or her exchange to measure his or her intercultural competency development and to learn li about the student\u27s intercultural background. Developing explicit evidence for the role of intercultural training through this study proved unsuccessful because of the students\u27 Jack of knowledge about the subject. However, through analysis of students\u27 answers to decipher the quality of training received and comparing that information to the students\u27 IES scores, the vital role of intercultural training in predeparture orientation is implied