The Study Abroad Experience

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The Study Abroad Experience

• Presented by
• Kelly J. Anderson

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The growth of Study Abroad

• For an increasing amount of students, the study
  abroad experience has become an integral part of
  the undergraduate experience
• 1989-99 Study abroad students reached a record
  enrollment of 129,770
• Over the past 4 years the number of students
  studying abroad has increased over 45

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Study Abroad Enrollments
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Federal Government Support

• April 19, 2000 - Executive memorandum announced
  by Pres. Clinton to renew and strengthen the
  commitment to Intl. Education
• Memo. Calls for a promotion of study abroad
  programs to a broader and more diverse group of
  students
• Response from U.S. Sec. Of Education, Richard
  Riley
• Only 9 of our undergraduates study abroad, less
  than 1/3 spend a semester or more abroad, and
  very few represent minorities (which make up our
  growing population in higher education)

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Who is studying abroad?

• Any student with the appropriate qualifications
  can find an opportunity
• Juniors
• Females
• Personal Characteristics risk-takers,
  self-starters, willing to put put themselves in
  ambigious situations

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Is study abroad within the financial grasp of
students?

• The price of study abroad has not increased as
  fast as American tuition
• Many programs cost the student no more than if
  they would stay in the U.S
• State and Federal Financial Aid
• Scholarships

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Where do students study?
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How long do students study abroad?

• Major trends show a shift to shorter sojourns
  (less than 8 weeks)
• Less than 10 study a full year
• Advisors agree that a full year is optimum
• Short term programs are valuable but no substitue
  for an extended period

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Why do students elect to study abroad?

• Students might go abroad for a particular
  reason, to study at a famous institution, to
  learn a language, or to have adventures -- but no
  matter what their initial reason for going
  abroad, they return home with a larger view of
  the world and their place in it.
• - Lewis Fortner, Associate Dean of Students at
  the University of Chicago

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What do students gain from the study abroad
experience?

• Study abroad students...
• learn about other cultures and philosophies
• learn about their self and gain confidence
• acquire skills and abilities that are
  career-transferable

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What do students experience when they go abroad?

• Culture Shock
• Adlers Stages of Intercultural Adaptation (U
  shaped pattern)
• Contact
• Disintegration
• Reintegration
• Autonomy
• Independence

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Preparing students for the study abroad experience

• Orientation course of sessions
• Educate students about culture shock and coping
  strategies to deal with challenges they will face
• Address routine practical issues and concerns
  about life abroad (i.e. health and safety)
• Minority group concerns

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Returning home to the U.S.

• Reverse Culture Shock
• Adlers Stages of Intercultural Adaptation
  revisited
• The W Curve is used to represent to students
  readjustment to their own culture

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Preparing students for reentry

• Just as it is important to prepare students to
  leave on their sojourn, it is equally important
  to prepare them for their return
• Many institutions offer (or require) a reentry
  course or sessions

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Any Questions?

• THANK YOU!
• Happy Holidays!