Why Cultural Competency Matters for Study Abroad Students
Here, we’ll discuss programs offering cultural competency training for study abroad students. If you’re planning on getting into a study-abroad program, read on.
This is a relevant topic because of the increase in the number of study-abroad students. In the 2022-2023 academic year, over 280,700 students were in study-abroad programs. This was a 48.7% increase (i.e., 188,753) from the 2021-2022 academic year.
But it isn’t easy being an American college student in a foreign country. You’ll make mistakes that can make your study-abroad experience less appealing. Being ignorant of and insensitive to the local culture, norms, and traditions is the worst. It doesn’t help either that Americans abroad are seen as rude, loud, and obnoxious.
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Fortunately, you can avoid these pitfalls by attending diversity training programs for students. These programs enable students planning to study abroad to develop cultural competency skills.
Why do these skills matter in the first place? Why learn them before arriving at your foreign destination? Why enroll in these formal programs? You can, after all, do DIY by reading books and watching videos, and even learn while you’re there.
By definition, cultural competency is a vital skill for study-abroad students. You can engage in meaningful interactions with diverse communities. When you have it, you’ll make the most of your study abroad experience by:
- Being able to navigate new environments with more sensitivity
- Fostering genuine connections with new people
- Avoiding misunderstandings with the local people
- Boosting your adaptability to new people, places, and situations
- Increasing your awareness of the world’s diversity
- Enjoying personal growth, be it from your mistakes or achievements
These are skills that you can take with you anywhere, be it in your personal life or at work.
The organizations and universities that offer these programs address unique study-abroad challenges. You’ll learn these challenges and their coping strategies so you can thrive.
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What Is Cultural Competency Training?
Cultural competency training has a structured approach where students learn from instructors. You’ll attend formal classes and workshops as part of the training program.
But you can also do DIY to supplement your training. In fact, we strongly recommend doing both so you’re more informed.
Cultural competency training in the context of study-abroad students has these main features:
Combines didactic courses and hands-on learning
You’ll learn about the values, social norms, and traditions of the foreign country you’ll be visiting. Lectures, case studies, and language and communication training are common. You may also write in a journal for self-reflection about your learnings and biases.
Then, you’ll engage in hands-on learning experiences to put your knowledge into action. Interactive workshops, role-playing exercises, and language practice are common. You may even spend a day in immersive experiences, such as in a local Hispanic community.
In doing so, you’ll have a deeper understanding of the foreign country and its people. Culture shock will be less overwhelming.
Aims to promote diversity, understanding and inclusion
You’ll develop an appreciation for the differences between cultures and their peoples. By doing so, you’ll learn to respect them and, thus, appreciate their uniqueness. This is a cycle that you’ll want to keep repeating.
Furthermore, college students need to prepare for international experiences because it:
- Promotes adaptability to unforeseen situations
- Boosts effective communication between you and the locals
- Enables you to advocate for yourself in a foreign country
- Encourages you to acknowledge the talents, knowledge, and skills of the locals
Getting into cultural competency training means entering with a half-full cup. You must have an open mind about foreign cultures and have a willingness to learn. Being emotionally intelligent is a must, too, as is being an empathetic person.
Suffice it to say that being in a cultural competency program is a crucial step. You will spend extra time and effort, even money, on the best cultural competency programs. But if you’re more culturally competent, it’s worth it.
Benefits of Cultural Competency Training for Study Abroad
Here are more reasons to get formal training for overseas studies as a preparatory step:
Improve your cross-cultural communication skills.
Communication is at the heart of human interactions. The better you can communicate with others, the better your interactions will be. When you’re in a foreign country, your communication skills matter even more. This is true whether you’re in an English-speaking country or not, too.
Furthermore, there’s more to effective communication than the spoken language and its nuances. You must also learn the local culture’s acceptable facial gestures and body language.
You’ll learn about the proper interpretation of expressions and actions in a cultural context. This way, you can avoid misjudging the locals because of your biases.
What may be acceptable in the US may not be so in, say, Japan. In America, maintaining eye contact is a sign of attentiveness and confidence. In Japan, it’s considered aggressive and rude to maintain prolonged eye contact.
Build a strong sense of empathy.
Empathy means being able to put yourself in another person’s shoes. In doing so, you can share the feelings that others experience, such as sadness. If necessary, you can also take action to help them.
Indeed, empathy is a must if you’re a study-abroad student for many reasons. You’ll meet people from all walks of life, and you must treat them with respect.
At the heart of cultural competency training is adaptability and flexibility. When you’re in a new environment, these are traits that serve you well.
You’ll learn to adjust quickly to a new routine, adapt to new customs, and navigate new places. Whatever discomfort and disorientation you feel are less overwhelming.
Boost your personal and professional growth.
Being open to personal and professional growth isn’t easy. You may have biases against growth opportunities, for example. With cultural competency training, you become more open to these opportunities.
How? You gain greater self-awareness because of self-reflection activities. Being more resilient and a more effective problem-solver also contributes to personal growth.
As for professional growth, being more culturally competent boosts your global competence. You can work well with multicultural teams, even lead them.
Top Cultural Competency Training Programs for Study Abroad Students
Texas Global at The University of Texas at Austin – Intercultural Workshops
Texas Global offers some of the best study abroad preparation programs for its students. In-person intercultural workshops support their ability to adjust and thrive in foreign countries.
Students can also access:
- The free Cultural Analysis Toolkit includes problem-solving activities and self-guided reflection.
- The Open Mind program develops awareness of your biases and removes them.
Global Training Initiative at North Carolina State University – Developing Cultural Competence Certificate
NC State offers affordable cultural competency courses (i.e., a $100 program fee with financial aid available). The four-week virtual experience features:
- Four 90-minute live Zoom discussions
- Online weekly self-paced lessons and individual assignments
- Group presentation
- Personal reflection activities
Participants learn via a learning management system.
Center for Global Engagement at Baylor University – Intercultural Competence Courses
Baylor offers diversity and inclusion training for students in its study-abroad programs. Students complete three intercultural competence courses:
- Developing Intercultural Competence
- Intercultural Competence Abroad
- Re-entry from Study Abroad
These are one-credit courses that students can take before, during, and after their study-abroad stint.
International Programs at The University of Iowa – Engaging Across Cultures
Students in UI’s pre-study abroad cultural preparation can either:
- Take individual sessions (i.e., standalone courses); or
- Earn a certificate by completing all courses
The Engaging Across Cultures series is a free program for all students. The series consists of an introductory and two elective sessions. There’s no credit for completion, but you’ll receive a certificate.
University of the Pacific – Cultural Competence Training Program
UOP’s cross-cultural training for students prepares them for success in foreign countries. The program’s main features are:
- In-person and online interactive modules that guide students about the challenges ahead
- Self-assessment tools that enable students to determine their strengths and weaknesses
- Real-world examples and activities in cultural competence
- Workshops with themes like stereotyping and cultural humility
AFS Global Competence Certificate Program
AFS Intercultural Programs offers its research-based GCC program to diverse learners. The program features:
- Guided reflection activities
- Online learning modules
- Communication and conflict resolution training
You’ll develop a deeper sense of self-awareness and awareness of others, among other skills.
Council on International Educational Exchange – Intercultural Training Toolkit
CIIE offers its effective Intercultural Training Toolkit to promote global education and understanding. The most notable features of the toolkit are:
- Pre-departure orientation
- Interactive activities (e.g., role-playing)
- Communication skills training
- Self-reflection activities
- Re-entry support and post-experience reflection
Diversity Abroad
Are you from an underrepresented population? If so, you’ll find many study abroad diversity workshops at Diversity Abroad. Here are their popular features.
- Resources and workshops tailored to your unique challenges as an underrepresented student
- Pre-departure seminar
- Global Student Leadership Summit
- Online modules on cultural competency
- Resources specific to race and gender identity
NAFSA – Intercultural Competence Resources
If you love diverse learning formats, you’ll love NAFSA’s program. You’ll enjoy features like:
- Live and on-demand webinars on cultural competence
- Guides and toolkits
- Workshops
- Cultural simulation activities
Students can also earn a certificate.
Rotary International – Youth Exchange Program Orientation
Check out Rotary’s Orientation Program for study-abroad students and its features:
- Pre-departure seminar
- Cultural awareness training, including workshops
- Briefing on the rules and guidelines for students (e.g., four Ds)
- Language preparation
Students also receive an in-country orientation.
How to Choose the Right Cultural Competency Program
If your college already offers a cultural competency training program, go for it. You’ll find that it’s your best choice because of its tailored approach. The training modules and activities align with the program’s goals and outcomes.
But if you want to go beyond your college’s program, you must consider several factors in your choice. You should also give yourself time to think through your choices. With third-party providers, there are usually fees involved.
- Identify your needs, interests and goals related to the study-abroad program.
- Understand the study-abroad program’s goals and outcomes.
- Always check the accreditation and reputation of the third-party providers.
- Read the testimonials and reviews. Ask questions from peers and alumni who have already completed their training.
- Consider third-party programs offering training for the foreign destinations you’re headed to.
- Understand the training program’s content, learning outcomes, and delivery format.
- Determine if these aspects align with your needs, interests, and goals.
- Check for ongoing support, such as re-entry support and access to mentors.
- Go for an online program for their flexible schedules and convenient access. In-person programs are best if you thrive in face-to-face interactions.
- Determine if you can afford the fees. Explore your financial aid options.
Don’t forget to use other resources, too, beyond these training programs. Check out MOOCs, read books, and practice your skills.
How Cultural Competency Prepares You for Success
Cultural competency skills aren’t only for your study-abroad experience. When applied in your daily life, these skills prepare you for success.
First, you’ll develop skills vital for your academic success. You have more effective communication and critical thinking skills. Both are essential in academics.
Second, you’ll develop leadership skills useful in leading diverse teams. Being culturally competent means having empathy and emotional intelligence, too. Effective leaders have both traits.
Third, you can highlight these skills and traits in the workplace. In our globalized society, employers prefer applicants with diverse training and experiences. This translates to increased opportunities for career advancement.
Most importantly, your study-abroad experience can be a life changer. Your cultural competency skills are the cherry on top, so to speak.
Conclusion: Start Your Study Abroad Journey with the Right Preparation
In conclusion, studying abroad brings life-changing benefits. You must consider the study-abroad programs offered by your college or a third-party organization.
But before you fly off to a foreign country, be sure to start with the right preparation. You must enroll in a cultural competency training program first. This way, you’ll enter your host country with the right mindset – with respect for its culture and people.