Full Description
Studying abroad has become a key educational means for preparing graduates with the intercultural competencies needed to succeed in our global economy. The federal government, business community, and higher education sector are united in their belief that study abroad is critical to such success. This monograph seeks to address two fundamental questions: * Who studies abroad (or who does not) and why? * What are the outcomes of study abroad? Increasing and broadening study abroad participation have proven particularly challenging, and the authors look to the research for how it might be improved. Although research suggests positive outcomes of study abroad, existing studies leave educators with some challenging questions. Based on their review, the authors pose recommendations for ways in which study abroad in the twenty-first century can renew its purposes and fulfill its promise.
Contents
Executive Summary vii Foreword xi Introduction 1 Monograph Purpose 4 Conceptual Framework 5 Sources 7 Audience 8 Author Experiences with Study Abroad 8 Definitions: Study Abroad What It Is and What It Is Not 9 Globalization, Internationalization, and Study Abroad 11 History and Purposes of Study Abroad 13 Beginnings 15 Post World War II 17 Study Abroad Post-Vietnam 19 Organizational Advocacy for Study Abroad in a Post-9/11 World 20 Societal and Institutional Purposes of Study Abroad in the Twenty-First Century 23 Summary 25 Types of Programs and Providers 27 Descriptive, Single-Component Schemes 28 Multiple-Criterion Classification Schemes 30 Who Provides Study Abroad 33 Summary 35 Who Studies Abroad and Who Does Not 37 Who Studies Abroad 40 Factors Affecting Intent to Study Abroad and Participation Rates 44 Factors Affecting Men s and Women s Participation 48 Factors Affecting Study Abroad Participation for Racial and Ethnic Minorities 52 Effects of Degree Aspirations and Field of Study on Study Abroad Participation 59 Community College Students 63 Summary 64 Study Abroad Outcomes 67 Intercultural Competence and Global Perspectives 68 Other Educational and Developmental Outcomes 77 General Academic Outcomes 80 Effects of Program Duration 87 Career and Other Long-Term Effects 88 Methodological Weaknesses of Study Abroad Outcomes Literature 90 Summary 93 Study Abroad: Critical Perspectives 95 Critiques of the Unstated Purposes of Study Abroad 96 Critical Studies of the Study Abroad Experience 100 Summary 103 Conclusions, Final Thoughts, and Recommendations 105 Who Participates, Who Does Not, Why, and What to Do About It? 106 Outcomes: The Good, the Bad, and the Indifferent 108 Meeting the Challenge 109 Final Thoughts 117 Notes 119 References 121 Name Index 139 Subject Index 144 About the Authors 151
