Abstract

Multidisciplinary, short-term study abroad trips provide real-world project management experience through a variety of international, interdisciplinary service-learning projects. These annual projects begin with a pre-survey where undergraduate students rate their abilities or confidence therein to (1) identify proper ways to address humanitarian needs; (2) finalize the plans, budget, and schedule to complete the project initiatives; (3) understand the language, geographical, ethical, and historical parameters, (4) understand the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and establish initiatives that will help progress the meeting of those goals; and (5) develop a comprehensive project management plan for the project initiatives. Coupled with a faculty post-trip observation assessment and an identical student post-survey, students project management abilities improved from below average in the pre-survey to well above average on completion of the year-long project. Students reported that these experiences were the highest impact learning practices they experienced in their undergraduate education.