Abstract
This qualitative study explores how high school students develop diplomatic competencies through extracurricular participation, personal experiences with global issues, and individual learning goals. Utilizing thematic analysis, we collected data from students’ reflective assignments to identify key themes. Our findings suggest that young people’s engagement in clubs and leadership roles supports diplomatic skill development, as their encounters with challenges, such as discrimination and poverty, deepen their global awareness and motivation. Further, students demonstrate passions for diverse global topics and issues, underscoring the need for experiential and inclusive learning that aligns with their aspirations. This study contributes to the literature by foregrounding student perspectives and examining the interplay between structured activities and authentic students’ engagement in shaping diplomacy-related competencies. Based on the findings, our recommendations include integrating skill-based learning into curricula, expanding simulation-based training, and fostering cross-cultural exchanges.
Keywords
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
