Building Leaders Abroad: Increasing Educational Leadership Efficacy through Short Term Study Abroad

Abstract

Supporting efforts to build efficacy in leadership capabilities and capacities is instrumental in the process of leadership development for education and leadership students. Research suggests that those individuals in their fields with a greater sense of efficacy tend to remain longer, with more success. While there has been much research to support the importance of efficacy and the positive benefits of study abroad experiences, this case study examines the self-described changes in participants’ perceptions of leadership styles at the completion of a study abroad program. A qualitative case study describes the changing perceptions using composite narrative, in effort to maintain the anonymity of the seven participants. The article reports the findings of seven interviews (six complete and one partial) with students who participated in the trip and corresponding coursework prior. It examines three aspects of leadership: changing perceptions of leadership, altering individual leadership styles, and improving confidence and competence in leadership abilities.