Raising awareness in study abroad

As a result of globalization, U.S. students need to acquire international knowledge, intercultural communication skills, and a global perspective in order to compete, succeed, and contribute to the interconnected world and global economy of the 21st century (Leask, 2001; Obst, Bhandari, & Witherell, 2007). Study abroad programs have been found to provide students with the necessary skills and competence required for the 21st century. The purpose of this action research study was to examine honors students' intercultural competency and the barriers they saw to studying abroad, and to develop of online study abroad information and promote a study abroad information session. This study focused on undergraduate honors students at Greenwich University, a four-year mid-Atlantic public university during the 2010-2012 academic years. In order to determine how to raise honors students' awareness in study abroad, this research study measured two concepts. One concept measured was an individual's experience, interests, and challenges regarding study abroad. The second concept measured was how an individual understands his intercultural development. The conceptual framework of this four cycle action research dissertation centered on collecting data to determine honors students' intercultural levels and their perceptions of study abroad, and to identify barriers they believed existed. Data was then used to create an online study abroad information link and promote a study abroad information session. Through surveys, focus groups, and interviews with Greenwich University honors students, I was able to determine that the online study abroad information link and the promotion of the study abroad information session affected awareness of study abroad. information link and promote a study abroad information session. Through surveys, focus groups, and interviews with Greenwich University honors students, I was able to determine that the online study abroad information link and the promotion of the study abroad information session affected awareness of study abroad.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed.D. Educational Leadership

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Leadership

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Gassler, Leslie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Walpole, MaryBeth

• Foreign study; International education; Education, Higher--United States
• Higher Education Administration

Repository record dc:identifier

https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/541

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-1540