Identifying factors which influence participation of minority students in study abroad programs at Texas A&M University

Abstract

Exploratory and descriptive in nature, this study was conducted in response to a perceived nonparticipation of Blacks and Hispanics in study abroad programs at Texas A&M University. The study identified a set of interrelated variables, which when grouped together with like variables are called factors, which documented why minority groups at Texas A&M University do not utilize the Study Abroad Program Office. Findings revealed that minority students who do not utilize the Study Abroad Program Office do not do so as a result of lack of information about the services available there, lack of vacations as children, lack of knowledge about available funds to study abroad, and influences that family members have on students. Survey responses showed that while the intended purpose of this study was to explore factors which might indicate why minority studsents did not utilize the Study Abroad Office, there was a secondary purpose that surfaced which served to confirm some assumptions about this student population. Minority students who are involved with extracurricular university activities, such as academic or musical organizations, are also the same students who are more likely to utilize study abroad programs. This was important since these assumptions proved to be significantly accurate. The survey also identified other variables which had not been considered by the Study Abroad Program Office. Several recommendationswere made for administrative modifications within the Study Abroad Program Office.