Designing Transformative Leadership Study Abroad Experiences in Zimbabwe

This article presents a descriptive case study of a leadership study abroad course in rural Zimbabwe, developed through a unique partnership between Oklahoma State University's Hargis Leadership Institute and OSU alumna Dr. Tererai Trent, a globally recognized humanitarian and leader. The course integrates pre-departure preparation, in-country immersion, and post-travel reflection, centering cultural humility, ethical leadership, and decolonial practice. Drawing on student journals, faculty field notes, and program documents, the case highlights how anchor moments and local leadership voices foster transformative learning. A student co-author's narrative illustrates how the course reframed leadership as relational rather than positional, emphasizing empathy, relational leadership, and cross-cultural awareness. This case contributes to study abroad and leadership education literature by offering pragmatic strategies for designing courses in the Global South that prioritize dignity, reciprocity, and leadership development. Recommendations for leadership educators and study abroad practitioners seeking to create ethically grounded, high-impact leadership study abroad experiences are included.