With increasing globalization, study abroad programs are becoming more common and popular in the United States. Unfortunately, many of the programs are not being used to their full potential to help students gain intercultural skills. This paper will present academic research on the definition and key characteristics of diverse cultural skills, methods for measuring those skills, and how study abroad programs can maximize students\u27 learning potential. Throughout this paper, I also reflect on my own experiences of study abroad in Medellin, Colombia, and Oviedo, Spain, and draw conclusions about my own travels and discoveries about cultural identity. Learning to be culturally competent is a vital skill in this increasingly interconnected world, and I hope this essay can shed some light on the subject
