MSU College Students’ Perceptions and Concerns of Studying Abroad
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Finance
Minor
-
Institution
Morehead State University
KY House District #
99
KY Senate District #
27
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Dr. Janet Ratliff; Mr. Steve Chen
Department
College of Business
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions and concerns of college students while studying abroad. The project was supported by MSU Undergraduate Research Fellowship. Fifty-two Morehead State University college students from a variety of majors in both graduate and undergraduate levels completed the survey. Data collection occurred in Spring 2016. Among these 52 students, there were two different educational study abroad experiences, one to England, Ireland, and Wales in May and one to Germany and Switzerland in June of 2016. The survey instrument contained nine constructs: (1) career and social, (2) diversity and financial management, (3) language, (4) importance of study abroad, (5) academic learning, (6) travel issues, (7) individual multi-development, (8) appreciation for travel, and (9) overall satisfaction. The findings demonstrated differences in gender and locations among the students who traveled on these two educational study abroad experiences. The results also provided us with information regarding what students valued the most about studying abroad experience, and what their perceptions and concerns were after learning a business-focused curriculum traveling abroad. Respondents indicated the study abroad experience had a positive gain in academic learning as well social, personal, and career development.
MSU College Students’ Perceptions and Concerns of Studying Abroad
The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions and concerns of college students while studying abroad. The project was supported by MSU Undergraduate Research Fellowship. Fifty-two Morehead State University college students from a variety of majors in both graduate and undergraduate levels completed the survey. Data collection occurred in Spring 2016. Among these 52 students, there were two different educational study abroad experiences, one to England, Ireland, and Wales in May and one to Germany and Switzerland in June of 2016. The survey instrument contained nine constructs: (1) career and social, (2) diversity and financial management, (3) language, (4) importance of study abroad, (5) academic learning, (6) travel issues, (7) individual multi-development, (8) appreciation for travel, and (9) overall satisfaction. The findings demonstrated differences in gender and locations among the students who traveled on these two educational study abroad experiences. The results also provided us with information regarding what students valued the most about studying abroad experience, and what their perceptions and concerns were after learning a business-focused curriculum traveling abroad. Respondents indicated the study abroad experience had a positive gain in academic learning as well social, personal, and career development.