A Qualitative Look at the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on American College Students Studying Abroad

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 70-100
Author(s):  
Eric Pedersen ◽  
Reagan Fitzke ◽  
Kathryn Bouskill ◽  
Angeles Sedano
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Academic Programs ◽  
Financial Loss ◽  
Studying Abroad ◽  
Abrupt Changes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Health ◽  
Study Abroad Students

COVID-19 has impacted higher education greatly, with many colleges and universities being forced to quickly implement procedures for operation as closures and restrictions shifted many programs online. These abrupt changes amounted to uncertainty and challenges for students worldwide. Students who were studying abroad during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic faced unique challenges as programs shut down and many returned home from overseas. The current study investigated the impact of COVID-19 on U.S. study abroad students through a qualitative lens. Students reported unique stressors related to being abroad during the onset of the pandemic, such as missed experiences, financial loss, travel difficulties, and stressors related to academic programs. Additionally, many reported considerable and lasting impacts on emotional and behavioral health. This study provides preliminary evidence for the effects of COVID-19 on study abroad students, and highlights the importance of addressing the needs of this population during and after the pandemic.

scholarly journals Promoting intercultural competence in study abroad students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Tarchi ◽  
Alessio Surian
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Conceptual Knowledge ◽  
Studying Abroad ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Short Intervention ◽  
Study Abroad Students

AbstractUniversities have been promoting study abroad programmes for a long time to improve intercultural competence. However, the mere exposure to cultural differences while studying abroad does not ensure intercultural competence, unless study abroad students’ reflective processes are explicitly targeted. The article presents the results of a short intervention grounded in the problem-based approach aimed at improving intercultural competence in study abroad students. Students were assigned to three conditions: a video-log condition (in which they have to narrate a critical incident occurred to them), a reflection-induced video-logs (in which they were prompted to reflect on the video-logs produced), and an active control condition. The reflection-induced video-log intervention improved students’ perceived proficiency in Italian and perceived opportunities for cultural reflection, but it did not contribute to improve students’ applicable and conceptual knowledge of intercultural competence.

Deciphering the rising attractiveness of Asian countries as destinations for Vietnamese students seeking international education: The effect of desire for studying abroad on Vietnamese students' career planning and decision-making processes in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuo Chen
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
International Education ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Career Planning ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Studying Abroad ◽  
Planning Factor ◽  
The Impact

Nowadays, Vietnamese students choose to study abroad in Asian countries, with Taiwan being one of the most appealing locations so far. The purpose of this research is to explain the planning process used by Vietnamese students to study abroad (the host country is Taiwan), as well as to suggest an appropriate model for students' decision-making once the desire to study abroad is established, in which the impact of career path on school selection is clarified and the importance of motivation to study abroad is emphasized.This research used a mixed-methods approach. In-depth interviews with 30 Vietnamese students studying in Taiwan are conducted using a qualitative methodology. The data gathered during those interviews is utilized to build questionnaires that will be sent to over 300 samples for quantitative study.The research findings demonstrate the primary elements influencing students' desire to study abroad, career planning, and decision-making in Taiwan, as well as the model of students' decision-making process. It is obvious that students' desire to study abroad has a direct effect on their career-planning factor, while this factor acts as a mediator between the aforementioned motivation and the students' decision-making factor.

scholarly journals “One Belt One Road” and Central Asia: A New Trend in Internationalization of Higher Education?

2018 ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Aisi Li
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
International Relations ◽  
Central Asia ◽  
Internationalization Of Higher Education ◽  
One Belt One Road ◽  
Confucius Institutes ◽  
The Impact

China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) strategy is the latest trend in international relations, and it is making a real impact on higher education in Central Asia. This article discusses the impact of three aspects of the plan: Chinese funding for study abroad, the Confucius Institutes, and the role of Xinjiang, China’s northwestern frontier.

Studying Abroad to Inform Teaching in a Diverse Society

2017 ◽  
pp. 52-70
Author(s):  
Carolyn Walker Hitchens ◽  
Patricia Clark ◽  
Anthony Kline ◽  
Winnie Mucherah ◽  
Scott Popplewell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Education ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
Education Program ◽  
General Description ◽  
General Overview ◽  
Studying Abroad ◽  
Diverse Society ◽  
Personal Reflections ◽  
Study Abroad Program ◽  
The Impact

This chapter presents information about Ball State University's Study Abroad Program within the Department of Elementary Education. A general description of students enrolled in the Elementary Education program is given, both historically and currently. Then the origins of the Ball State Elementary Education Study Abroad program are explained, followed by a description of countries and program types that have occurred over the years. A general overview of program considerations, including making contacts, recruiting students, and working with schools is then provided. Next, three travel programs in the department are described, including development, recruitment, and vignettes focusing on experiences in each program. Next, research about program experiences is presented, including the impact of study abroad experiences on students. Personal reflections from instructors who have participated will then be shared. Finally, suggestions about developing and implementing programs will be identified.

scholarly journals The Impact of Motivational and Metacognitive Cultural Intelligence on the Study Abroad Experience

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadette M. Racicot ◽  
Diane L. Ferry
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Cultural Intelligence ◽  
Process Analysis ◽  
Study Abroad Programs ◽  
Studying Abroad ◽  
Cultural Experiences ◽  
Time Lagged ◽  
Conditional Process Analysis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Training

<p>The current study used a time-lagged design to examine the effects of Metacognitive and Motivational Cultural Intelligence (CQ) prior to studying abroad on the experiential behavior of students during their study abroad trip and their future interest in work and study abroad opportunities. Using Hayes’ conditional process analysis, results indicated that Motivational CQ predicted Metacognitive CQ which predicted cultural experiences pursued while studying abroad which in turn predicted future interest in working/studying abroad. Implications for improving the study abroad experience and training of students for study abroad programs are discussed.</p>

scholarly journals “One Belt One Road” and Central Asia: A New Trend in Internationalization of Higher Education?

2018 ◽  
pp. 14-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aisi Li
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
International Relations ◽  
Central Asia ◽  
Internationalization Of Higher Education ◽  
One Belt One Road ◽  
Confucius Institutes ◽  
The Impact

China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) strategy is the latest trend in international relations, and it is making a real impact on higher education in Central Asia. This article discusses the impact of three aspects of the plan: Chinese funding for study abroad, the Confucius Institutes, and the role of Xinjiang, China’s northwestern frontier.

scholarly journals Students’ Stories of Studying Abroad: Reflections Upon Return

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Costello
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Student Participation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Personal Lives ◽  
Studying Abroad ◽  
Cultural Experiences ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Inform Decision Making

Study abroad brings an enriching experience to students’ academic and personal lives. This narrative essay relays two students’ experiences with study abroad sojourns and touches upon their technology use during their study abroad as recounted in semi-structured interviews. Details of their cultural experiences and reflections thereof as well as the impact these experiences had on their lives are presented. Student participation in study abroad semesters is increasing each year. Understanding previous students’ experience studying abroad, how this impacted their studies and life afterwards can inform decision making of other students considering this option. Additionally, awareness of the technologies used to stay in touch with those at home informs administrative and technical decisions for institutions to consider.

scholarly journals Unique Opportunities: Influence of study abroad on Black students

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine A. Lee ◽  
Qiana Green
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
Black Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Studying Abroad

Higher education scholars argue studying abroad results in multiple positive outcomes for undergraduate students; however, Black students continue to be underrepresented as study abroad participants. Utilizing analytic Afrocentricity as the theoretical framework, case study methodology, and semi-structured interviews, this paper furthers higher education research by exploring the influences of study abroad experiences in South Africa on Black undergraduate students. Findings indicate not only positive outcomes on racial identity development, but also academic and career aspirations, and conducting undergraduate research.

The Impact of Study Abroad on Business Students’ Career Goals

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tammy Orahood ◽  
Larisa Kruze ◽  
Denise Easley Pearson
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
International Business ◽  
Observational Learning ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Career Plans ◽  
International Dimension ◽  
Positive Study ◽  
Studying Abroad ◽  
Positive Outlook ◽  
The Impact

This study seeks to understand the impact of studying abroad on business students and their career plans to determine whether study abroad experiences are all “hype,” or if they have “substance.” It considers study abroad experiences as “learning experiences,” providing first-hand and observational learning for developing associated skills (Krumboltz, 1979). Thus, this study assumes that a positive study abroad experience will lead towards a favorable international dimension in a given career. These dimensions would include a positive outlook on working in an international capacity, the development of skills useful to international business, and entry into a career with international involvement.

Cultural Immersion as a Strategy for Empowerment

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennell P. Charles
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Students ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
Cultural Immersion ◽  
Studying Abroad ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Cultural immersion experiences offered through study abroad opportunities for nursing students have been increasing in recent years. Examining the impact of these experiences has largely focused on students and not on the faculty leading the experiences. It is important to understand the impact of these experiences on all participants. Exploring the literature on empowerment provides some clarity on the relationship between studying abroad and its impact on participants. Further research linking cultural immersion experiences with empowerment is needed to better understand this relationship and the possibilities of empowering both students and faculty engaged in these exciting opportunities.

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