Academic Year Abroad 2001

Author : Debra L. Peterson
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 332 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (129 download)

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Download or read book The Decision to Study Abroad written by Debra L. Peterson and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This dissertation addresses international education's need for a theoretical model and research on the student decision process for study abroad. It builds upon earlier research (Peterson, 2001) that proposed and tested the Decision to Study Abroad Model, a theoretical approach based on Fishbein and Ajzen's Theory of Reasoned Action. While the earlier work particularly focused on the intention to study abroad and its predictors, the present research investigates the opinions and experiences of study abroad participants and explores factors related to communication strategies. Data were collected from 239 participants, supplemented by two subsets of subjects from the earlier study--37 study abroad participants and 313 nonparticipants--for an overall subject count of 589. Comparisons are made between characteristics and beliefs of single and multiple study abroad participants as well as nonparticipants to better understand distinct differences and similarities among the groups. Comparisons revealed that participants have statistically significantly higher means for attitude, subjective norm, behavioral beliefs, evaluation of outcomes, and normative beliefs about study abroad than do nonparticipants. Further, participants engage in more information seeking (both passive and active) about study abroad than do nonparticipants, who primarily engage in passive information seeking. Students who engaged in multiple study abroad programs consider and commit to studying abroad earlier than do one-time participants. Earlier regression analysis demonstrated that attitude toward study abroad and subjective norm successfully predicted intention to study abroad, with subjective norm being the stronger predictor. The current research tested a similar model for intention to study abroad again; however, the results yielded a small regression effect, with attitude being stronger. These findings may be related to the intervention of the study abroad experience itself or overall maturation. Post/Then measures of attitude, behavioral beliefs, evaluation of outcomes, and normative beliefs showed positive increases; however, motivation to comply decreased, which contributed to overall lower measures for subjective norm. Regarding communication issues, study abroad participants unanimously agreed that "study abroad would open my eyes to the world" was the most important reason for their decision to study abroad. They cited study abroad program faculty leaders and former participants as the most influential messengers from whom they received study abroad information. "Financial issues" were identified as the most important information needed for the decision to study abroad. This was followed by "benefits and rewards of study abroad." Initial investigations with new variables (satisfaction, reasons against studying abroad again, and sequencing choice) and intention to study abroad again were not productive.