Work

“I have a better sense of how interconnected the world is”: Student perceptions of learning and global engagement during study abroad

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: The study purpose was to examine U.S. college students’ perceptions of their engagement and learning after studying abroad for a semester in Denmark. All students participated in a course focusing on children and adolescents in Scandinavian contexts, a semester-long practicum experience in a Danish educational institution, and two course-embedded travel experiences within and outside of Denmark. Although there were no significant differences in students’ pre-and post-test scores on the Global Engagement Survey (Hartman et al., 2015), responses to open-ended prompts provided evidence that students developed knowledge and understanding of themselves and others in multiple cultural and educational contexts. They worked to make meaning of their observations throughout the semester, and established strong relationships with the host community. The practicum and study tour experiences provided ample opportunities for global learning; many students reported that they gained knowledge about diversity and considered issues from the perspectives of local and global communities.

Source: Frontiers The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad

DOI: 10.36366/frontiers.v30i2.416

Authors: Maureen Vandermaas-Peeler, Jennifer Duncan-Bendix, Maja Sbahl Biehl

Institution: Elon University

Language: English

Topic: International Student and Expatriate Challenges

Subfield: Communication

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Elon University