The cultivation of cultural intelligence through study tours: An Asian perspective

This paper discusses a comparative study of two groups of tertiary students who were taking study tours to South Korea in year 2017 and 2018 respectively. An action research approach was taken with data gathered through students’ feedback questionnaires, self-reflections and group oral presentations. Further document analyses were carried out to provide an objective evidence of students’ learning outcomes. Using Earley & Ang’s (2003) cultural intelligence model as the conceptual framework of this research, the authors of this research examined these 2 rounds of students under the three interconnected themes: cognition, motivation and application. This paper reports on how the second round participants have increased their learning motivations; thus, they have shown a higher level of cultural intelligence through more appropriate actions. Several strategies were identified and a key factor in developing cultural intelligence was boosting cultural learning motivation in both formal and informal contexts. The research will also suggest methods to enhance students’ intercultural communicative competence in a global context. Lastly, strategies for improving tertiary students’ cultural learning motivation will be discussed.