Research Symposium

BIO

I am an international student from Peru pursuing a BS degree in Marketing at Florida State University. I am graduating in May of 2023. My short-term goal is to obtain a MBA in Business Administration. I am a responsible, energetic and passionate student seeking to enhance my knowledge in the business field.

Understanding Intercultural Competencies and How to Develop Them in Gap Year and Study Abroad Program Experiences

Abstract

Our research focuses on understanding Intercultural Competencies (ICC) and how to develop it in gap year and study abroad program experiences at FSU. “Intercultural competence(ICC) can be defined as a complex of abilities that are needed to interact with people from other cultures adequately and effectively” (Wolff., & Borzikowsky, 2018). In this study we examine ICC in two experiences: “study abroad” (i.e. an academic experience outside of a student’s home country) and “gap year” (i.e. an experience taken in lieu of an academic experience to bolster a students’ interest in a career choice, rid themselves of burnout, help others, or other personal reasons). Our study compiled articles, found via a convenience sampling, written about developing ICC within study abroad and gap year experiences to note the importance of increasing intercultural competencies by connecting skills gained through both experiences. We found that through defining and understanding what Intercultural Competence was and why it was important, we were able to better understand what attributes in Gap Year and Study abroad programs would be more effective. Which we then collected and noted in our research and discuss in our findings.

Keywords: Intercultural competencies, study abroad, gap year, exchange student, ICC