The Effect of Cultural Immersion Experiences on College Students’ Professional Development Skills

This study examined the effect of cultural immersion experiences during study abroad programs on students’ professional career development skills. A survey was conducted among 78 participants from a Texan university, exploring the relationship between various aspects of cultural immersion and career skill development. Results show that confidence in career pre-immersion and incorporating cultural experiences into professional networking positively affect skill acquisition. However, the number of immersion experiences and belief in their career impact from their experience did not significantly predict outcomes. These findings highlight the value of cultural immersion in enhancing students’ global competency and career readiness in college students.