Incorporating emotional intelligence competency building into the preparation and delivery of international travel courses

Abstract

As increasing numbers of students participate in international travel courses as part of their collegiate business curriculum, there has been a corresponding rise in academic discussion about how institutions and trip leaders can best prepare for, and manage, the travel experience. While the study of history, politics, and economics of the region to be visited commonly provides valuable content for the travel course, such preparation does not address the psychological processes that accompany student group travel under conditions that are necessarily uncertain and stressful. To fill this course management gap, we recommend teaching and training in emotional intelligence competencies. As a curriculum component of international travel courses, knowledge of and practice in emotional intelligence competencies serve the students, trip leader(s), course, and institution by improving the learning process and increasing group effectiveness.