Understanding short-term study abroad programs from a facilitator's perspective

The present study seeks to increase awareness of the short-term study abroad experience as it pertains to the very faculty and staff responsible for accompanying students abroad. Their vantage point is valuable as a counterpart to that of students when examining respective benefits, challenges, and expectations related to assuming the facilitator role. Qualitative research methods marry well this topic of investigation and bring to the forefront factors that lead faculty and staff to the position and, equally, aspects that are at the core of individuals distancing themselves from contemplating the role for the first or a subsequent time. What becomes clear is that facilitators can resist undue institutional influence and instead focus on personal and intrinsic reasoning for leading students internationally. Overall, this study’s participants emerge as compassionate beings who generously commit time and energy to providing students with an overseas sojourn and learning opportunity that exceed the realities of what can effectively be achieved in the classroom.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Moran, Kathleen

Contributors dc:contributor

• Witt, Allison
• Herrera, Linda
• Kang, Hyun-Sook
• Zhu, Hong

• Short-term study abroad

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Kathleen Moran

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129252

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F129252