Leadership Learning in Study Centers Abroad: A Transformative Experience

This article explores the role of university-affiliated study centers abroad in fostering leadership development among undergraduate students. Drawing on experiential and transformational learning theories, we highlight how structured academic environments combined with cultural immersion can enhance key leadership competencies such as adaptability, intercultural communication, and critical thinking. Through personal narratives from students who studied at Florida State University's Florence study center, we illustrate how leadership theory was integrated with real-world learning experiences. The study center's role as both a physical and developmental hub is examined, alongside the benefits and limitations of such environments. Recommendations are provided for how higher education institutions can more intentionally design study abroad programs to maximize leadership learning, including the integration of reflective practices, peer-led initiatives, and community engagement projects.