Going global : how short-term study abroad experiences influence student leadership development

Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only.Institutions of higher education have recently placed value on leadership development opportunities for college students, empowering them to develop key skills (Boatman, 1999). Limited research has been conducted connecting the influence of study abroad experiences and student leadership development. Although semester and year-long study abroad experiences have been acknowledged for their ability to help students develop intercultural competence (Anderson & Lawton, 2011; Bennett, 1993; Black & Duhon, 2006; Martinez, 2012), personally (Kauffman & Kuh, 1984), and intellectually (McKeown, 2009), there is little understanding around the impact of short term study abroad experiences. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent and influence of short-term study abroad experiences in formal leadership programs. This study used a qualitative single instrument case study to examine student experiences (Yin, 2009). The results of this study supported the influence of short-term study abroad experiences as an impactful and meaningful experience for student development.Department of Educational StudiesThesis (M.A.