The Impact of a Short-Term Fashion Study Abroad Trip on Undergraduates' Cultural Intelligence and Career Perceptions as Future Global Fashion Change Agents

Abstract

<p>Students had positive perceptions of the fashion industry after studying abroad. These positive perceptions may promote an increased ease during interaction in a diverse global industry due to increased cultural intelligence. Cultural intelligence is important to fashion students’ future careers by helping them to gain better communication and leadership skills. Therefore, this study examines undergraduate students’ cultural intelligence and career perceptions after a short-term fashion study abroad trip. A total of 15 undergraduate students were given a pretest and post-test survey to describe how their travels impacted their perceptions of the fashion industry, future career goals, and cultural awareness. The results of the study show that the students were inspired, gained cultural comparison skills, discovered their career path, and attained better interaction skills. The results of this research indicate that study abroad travel is beneficial for fashion students to experience and enhance their cultural intelligence to attain their career goals.</p>