How Do Erasmus Students Evaluate Their Language Learning Experience Abroad?
Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Purpose: Study abroad hasbeen very popular among students recently. Turkish youth have become even morewilling to study abroad and improve their English language skills. As linguafranca (ELF) is the main language for interaction, especially in Europe. Thecurrent study investigated language learning perceptions of Turkish studentswho have participated in Erasmus Exchange Program. Research Methods: The participantswere 100 (58 females and 42 males) university students from differentdepartments who had been in an Erasmus Exchange Program in the previous fiveyears. The data were collected using two sets of questionnaires containing 41items, and an interview protocol. These aimed to elicit information participants’views on their English language learning process back then and at the time ofdata collection, and their study abroad experience. Findings: The findings indicatee that this experience made asignificant impact on them. They have positive outlook of their languagelearning. They are willing to take part in intercultural communication. Inaddition, they said that they gained first-hand information on differentcultures through the friends they had made in Europe, which widened theirhorizon. The participants who work at present believe that they owe theirpresent position to the qualifications gained abroad. Implications for Research and Practice: The findingsof the study indicated that the participants have developedpositive thoughts during their one semester stay in Europe. A longer studyabroad experience might have affected by their perceptions in a different way. Theyindicated that they had not gone through an orientation programme before goingto Europe. They all agreed that an awareness-raisingorientation program would be a very good start for any exchange students. Forfurther research it is advisable to organise a project where exchange studentsreceive an orientation programme where students are made aware of how to copewith cultural differences before travelling to Europe.
Authors: Nurdan FIDAN, Cigdem KARATEPE
Language: English
Subfield: Communication
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3154758580