Study Abroad as a Cultural Competence Development Tool: Case Study Honduras

The purpose of this study was to acquire an in-depth understanding of a study abroad experience from a sample of eight participants using a case study approach. The theoretical framework was based on the Multidimensional Model of Cultural Competence (Sue and Sue 2003 ) and Relational Counseling Theory (RCT; Comstock et al. 2008 ). Program documentation, journal entries, and a follow-up survey were analyzed. Findings indicated that the study abroad program enhanced the cultural competence development of the participants. The importance of exposure and growth-fostering relationships, influences that the study abroad experiences may have on social justice and advocacy, and potential use of RCT in international counseling were highlighted.