In an increasingly globalized world, numerous studies demonstrate the importance and positive impact of study abroad programs (Peyvandi and Wang, 2016; Cisneros-Donahue, Krentler, Reinig and Sabol, 2012).
Faculty Led programs (short-term study abroad programs), although shorter in duration, provide students with the benefits of longer programs while reducing the barriers to studying abroad (Interis, Rezek, Bloom, & Campbell, 2018; Perry, Stoner, & Tarrant, 2012) and are well suited for adults who study and work (Davis & Coryell, 2020).
Dewey (1933) introduced the concept of reflection as an intentional and active meaning making process. One of the crucial aspects in these programs is the promotion of critical reflection and, specifically, in the area of marketing (Treleaven and Voola, 2008; Caterall, Maclaran and Stevens, 2002). Some research highlights the importance of these international experiences and the understanding of another culture by the students (Opengart, 2018), future leaders, who are studying an MBA (Mu and Hach, 2019; Reilly, McGrath and Stevens, 2016).
Considering the Apostolic Preferences (Jesuits, 2020), particularly that relating to the journeying of young people, and in order to encourage close collaboration between universities in the Jesuit network, the reflections of students participating in a program abroad between Loyola Chicago University (USA) and Loyola Andalucía (Spain) designed under the Ignatian pedagogy (context, experience, reflection, action and evaluation) were analyzed. Specifically, the sample included reflection responses from students in the various masters programs in business (backgrounds in Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, etc). Therefore, the objective of this research is to analyze the transformations generated in these future leaders.
Throughout its three editions, different activities have been worked on, making adaptations based on the feedback received each year and in a changing global environment. In all the programs, students had to design an integrated marketing communication campaign and present their proposals to executives from different companies. After the first edition, which served as a test and learning experience for both institutions, in the second and third editions the students from the U.S. had to develop and present their projects in collaboration with the students from Spain who in this case acted as consultants to the Spanish market, where the launch of a brand extension was to take place. Likewise, in the third edition and under the global concern of the care of the Common Home, the students developed and presented their proposals in two multinationals, thus trying to respond to the challenge of sustainability.
Through qualitative analysis of the reflections and narratives of the students of the three editions (2016, 2017 and 2019), three themes have been identified in relation to the transformations experienced: transformation of the self, transformation from a professional perspective and transformation of cultural understanding.
This study has implications for the learning and career development of students and future leaders in our community and for partnership programs between universities that are committed to values education and want to transform the world. Ultimately, it is a way of study abroad for one institution and an internationalization at home for the host partner (especially for those universities with less resources), sharing the same mission.