International Experiences for College Students: Benefits, Challenges, Best Practices, Influence, and Value

Abstract

Research demonstrates that college students gain valuable skills and perspectives through engagement with cultures different from their own. Additionally, opportunities to travel outside a student’s home culture increases both global understanding and awareness. The number of college students pursuing international experiences was steadily increasing prior to 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic severely halted travel between countries. As we emerge from the pandemic and re-engage mobility and the pursuit of study abroad opportunities for college students, it is important to review and understand the experiences of students from the years preceding the pandemic. This will provide insight as programs are reestablished and new ones are created with continued ambiguity regarding countries’ entry and residency requirements. First, I conducted a rigorous review of the literature to establish a benchmark of the research related to benefits of study abroad; I reviewed more than 100 articles written from 2001 to 2019. Synthesis of the benefits of study abroad resulted in four distinct categories: personal growth, international knowledge, cultural awareness, and additional skills. The literature also revealed reasons students did not participate in study abroad and provides guidance for program planning. The benefits, barriers, and program strategies summarized are a source for planning, especially as universities and program providers rebuild their global programs after the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, post-study abroad program surveys of more than 1,800 students from 2016 to 2019 at a large U.S. university during the three-years proceeding COVID-19 were analyzed. Students were from a variety of majors and participated in either a faculty-led, exchange, or third-party provider program. Statistically significant relationships between program type and several participant characteristics were found. Analysis of the data also revealed the reasons students pursued global experiences, students’ perceptions of the value of these global experiences, and students’ perceptions of preparation and safety. Correlations discovered within certain student populations will aid education abroad professionals with student recruitment and program planning. Third, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 415 students were able to find opportunities to study abroad through exchange and third-party provider programs. This was due to the support of the foreign university or in-country provider and the ability of students to meet the country’s entry requirements for a semester of study. Given the continuation of these in-person study abroad programs despite a worldwide pandemic, a qualitative review of feedback from students who participated in these study abroad experiences prior to the pandemic was warranted. The analysis involved coding the responses to five questions asked of 191 students who participated in exchange programs and of 224 students who participated in provider programs from a public U.S. university from 2016 to 2019. Students provided detailed answers to what exceeded and did not exceed their expectations and what they gained from their study abroad. They also identified the most challenging part of their program and at least three personal and professional skills gained from their participation. Together, these studies inform both researchers and practitioners regarding best practices and priorities for coordinating study abroad experiences for college students. The benefits and barriers for students pursuing a study abroad are identified across multiple program types; as well as the reasons they pursued global experiences, and their perceptions of value, preparation, and safety. Feedback regarding expectations, gains, challenges, and tangible personal and professional skills are also assessed for common themes to inform future research and programs.