The purpose of this research was to better understand why very few undergraduate business students at an HBCU in the southeastern United States were participating in study abroad programs and to develop recommendations to increase participation. Specifically, the researcher identified student customer barriers to study abroad, gained a sense of…

The purpose of this study was to explore and make meaning of the lived experiences of traditional first-generation college students who studied abroad for academic credit through a college or university-sponsored study abroad program for at least one undergraduate academic term. Semi-structured narrative interviews were conducted with five…

The purpose of this non-experimental quantitative study was to determine the effect global experiences have on undergraduate students' self-confidence, cultural awareness, and career choice. The research took place at a single research site, a private, faith-based university in the Southeastern United States. Students who had participated in a…

This narrative study explored the strategies used by faculty to integrate intercultural learning into education abroad courses. The study shared the reflections of ten faculty members who taught undergraduate courses in faculty-led education abroad programs. The research revealed five design principles that help faculty members create education…

This qualitative study utilized a constructivist grounded theory approach to understand how rural students engaged with people in their home community as it related to before, during, and after their study abroad experience and what impact that engagement had on their experiences. Participants included 15 students who self-identified as being from…

Study abroad has been seen as a pathway to global competencies that will prepare students to be citizens of a global and interconnected world. Intrapersonal development is a dimension of global perspective important to consider as it reflects individuals' perceptions, awareness, respect, and acceptance of their own identity as well as others who…

Many colleges and universities within U.S. higher education make claims about their graduates understanding global leadership. In addition, American higher education has a unique opportunity to promote global leadership to help address our world's most pressing issues, including education and healthcare disparities, violence towards those with…

As the cultural climate in American higher education continues to evolve, there is an inherent need to adjust curriculum and educational perceptions to better assist American students in operating in a global context. Furthermore, the current cultural and political landscape in the United States has magnified the need for students attending…

The gender gap in American undergraduate students' participation in study-abroad programs is a persistent phenomenon. According to the Institute of International Education (2022a), male students have represented between 32.7% and 36.5% of all American students abroad between the 2007-2008 and 2018-2019 academic years. Research similarly shows that…

This dissertation explored the experiences of 16 undergraduate students across four cohorts who chose to begin college by participating in a first-year experience program abroad in London, England. Through the use of individual interviews and participant observation, this study sought to understand what influenced students' decision making to…

The purpose of this study was to explore how skills gained through study abroad at the Pennsylvania State University influence individuals' employability as they enter the workforce. Potential participants were invited to complete a qualification survey that gathered initial demographic and study abroad information. From the responses, eligible…

This dissertation study utilized Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to understand the acculturation and sojourner experience of undergraduate Indian international students in the U.S. Midwest. Focusing exclusively on the lived experience of these students, this study engaged Berry's "Fourfold Model of Acculturation" (Berry,…

Second language learner motivation research has witnessed a transition from a historically static approach to a more dynamic approach, yielding extensive research during the past decade. Dornyei (2005, 2009) proposed a vigorous motivation framework, the Second Language Motivational Self System (L2MSS) that highlights the dynamic nature of learner…

Education Abroad is often billed as a wonderful opportunity for international collaboration and enhanced intercultural understanding for students and community members alike. Unfortunately, the local individuals in contact with these programs often have little ability to share their perspectives and have their voices heard. Each year over 300,000…

The number of students who choose to pursue higher education outside their home country has continued to grow, and one of the most popular international destinations is the United States. International students, whose home language is not English, can find this educational opportunity to be academically challenging. Institutions of higher learning…