Experiential pluralism: gains from short-term study abroad programmes in the business curriculum

An increasing number of academic institutions provide short-term international study opportunities for their business students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Some institutions even provide such experiences for faculty, to enhance their international background and to facilitate research and broader perspectives for the classroom. Since "the essence of pluralism is the recognition of the legitimate existence of alternative ideologies, frameworks, and references" [Reardon, (2009), p.2], the goals of the international study tour, the exposure to alternative perspectives it provides, and the dynamics it creates fit particularly well with the philosophy of diverse perspectives found in pluralism. We review the literature on short-term study abroad programmes and make the case for the value of short-term study tours as an experiential learning tool for international business students and faculty, noting the range of content and process gains in which such study tours enhance a pluralist view of the world, the global economy, the business curriculum, and even the student cohort.