Northern Kentucky University
Vida Cotidiana v. Everyday Life: A Study About the Effects of Studying Abroad on Students and Their Cultural Perceptions
Institution
Northern Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Kajsa Larson
Abstract
The purpose of this poster is to examine the differences between undergraduate university students in Segovia, Spain and Northern Kentucky University, America. In addition to studying the different cultures, this poster also seeks to expound on the effects that studying abroad has had on the students’ everyday lives as well as their cultural perception of both Spanish and American cultures. The main subjects of the research are the thirty undergraduate students who participated in the Kentucky Institute for International Studies’ Spain II program to Segovia, Spain from July 1-July 31st, 2013. During the orientation meeting for the study abroad program, April 13th, 2013, students were given a pre-survey about their daily lives and routines in America. Informal research was done throughout the students’ time in Segovia, and then a postsurvey was issued on the final day of the trip to all the students that asked about their daily lives in Spain, what were the biggest differences between Spain and America for them, and what they intended to change about their routine in America. The final post-survey will be administered during the month of November to judge what changes to their daily lives have actually occurred. While the study has not been fully completed, from the data already received it is clear that many changes have occurred in the students’ lives within their perceptions of themselves, their daily diets, and their level of exercise.
Vida Cotidiana v. Everyday Life: A Study About the Effects of Studying Abroad on Students and Their Cultural Perceptions
The purpose of this poster is to examine the differences between undergraduate university students in Segovia, Spain and Northern Kentucky University, America. In addition to studying the different cultures, this poster also seeks to expound on the effects that studying abroad has had on the students’ everyday lives as well as their cultural perception of both Spanish and American cultures. The main subjects of the research are the thirty undergraduate students who participated in the Kentucky Institute for International Studies’ Spain II program to Segovia, Spain from July 1-July 31st, 2013. During the orientation meeting for the study abroad program, April 13th, 2013, students were given a pre-survey about their daily lives and routines in America. Informal research was done throughout the students’ time in Segovia, and then a postsurvey was issued on the final day of the trip to all the students that asked about their daily lives in Spain, what were the biggest differences between Spain and America for them, and what they intended to change about their routine in America. The final post-survey will be administered during the month of November to judge what changes to their daily lives have actually occurred. While the study has not been fully completed, from the data already received it is clear that many changes have occurred in the students’ lives within their perceptions of themselves, their daily diets, and their level of exercise.