The following column was originally published in the Laredo Morning Times Business Journal. Laredo College participates each month and everyone is encouraged to pick up a copy of the Laredo Morning Times to catch the story first.
Column by: Bianca Cubriel, Global Learning and Leadership Initiatives Coordinator
A strong worldview is built through lived experiences, and it shapes leaders who can listen, learn and act with clarity. Starting in 2026, Laredo College students will strengthen that perspective through the college’s new Study Abroad Program as the first cohort travels to Spain.
The program will take place in May and is hosted by the Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership as part of the Certificate in Leadership Program. It is open to all leadership and LC students interested in studying abroad. The cohort will visit Madrid, Sevilla, Malaga, Cordoba and Granada.
Research has linked international experience with broader thinking and stronger creative problem-solving, especially when students actively adapt to a new culture. In a 2009 study, “Cultural borders and mental barriers: The relationship between living abroad and creativity,” researchers William Maddux and Adam Galinsky found that people who lived abroad and adjusted to local norms performed better on creativity and negotiation tasks than those who only traveled.
Through travel, students will sharpen communication skills and gain a clearer understanding of how culture shapes decision-making in organizations and communities. That broader perspective helps future leaders tackle complex problems by weighing context, considering stakeholders and adapting their approach. The experience also includes company visits, guest lectures and cultural activities designed to connect classroom learning with real-world practice.
Higher education research has also tied intercultural experiences to gains in critical thinking, suggesting students grow when they must interpret unfamiliar perspectives and revise assumptions. The 2012 study “Effects of Diversity Experiences on Critical Thinking Skills: Who Benefits?” in The Journal of Higher Education by researchers Chad Loes, Ernest Pascarella and Paul Umbach found students with more diversity experiences showed stronger gains in critical thinking. Meeting peers, professionals and community leaders abroad can turn those lessons into lasting networks that help graduates lead across differences and make decisions with a wider view of what works in more than one place.
Study abroad experiences also strengthen the local workforce by preparing students to enter careers with a global perspective. Employers increasingly value individuals who can navigate diverse environments and apply critical thinking in real-world settings. Students who participate in these programs return better equipped to contribute to professional spaces that require adaptability, collaboration and awareness of global contexts.
These skills are especially valuable for a border community like Laredo. As one of the largest inland ports and major hub for international trade between the United States and Mexico, the region depends on professionals who understand cross-border systems, global supply chains and multicultural communication. Industries such as logistics, import-export, healthcare, education and business are deeply connected to international relationships, making cultural awareness and global competencies essential for workforce success. By developing students who can navigate both local and global contexts, study abroad programs help strengthen these industries, support regional economic growth, and position our community for long-term competitiveness and opportunity.
International experiences also help students develop empathy and cultural awareness that strengthen leadership. Being in unfamiliar environments builds confidence, independence and the ability to adapt, skills that carry into the workplace and community.
As Laredo College launches its first study abroad cohort to Spain, students will gain the lived experiences that turn classroom leadership into real-world global fluency. Backed by research, this immersive journey will strengthen communication, critical thinking, creativity and cultural awareness through academic, professional and community engagement across Spain. Those same skills return home with our students, fueling a stronger local workforce and preparing globally minded leaders who can help a border community thrive in an interconnected economy.