Students’ Stories of Studying Abroad: Reflections Upon Return

Abstract


 
 
 Study abroad brings an enriching experience to students’ academic and personal lives. This narrative essay relays two students’ experiences with study abroad sojourns and touches upon their technology use during their study abroad as recounted in semi-structured interviews. Details of their cultural experiences and reflections thereof as well as the impact these experiences had on their lives are presented. Student participation in study abroad semesters is increasing each year. Understanding previous students’ experience studying abroad, how this impacted their studies and life afterwards can inform decision making of other students considering this option. Additionally, awareness of the technologies used to stay in touch with those at home informs administrative and technical decisions for institutions to consider.
 
 

Students’ motivations, perceived benefits and constraints towards study abroad and other international education opportunities

“…Positive outcomes from study abroad participation include a positive change in attitude, personal growth and cultural awareness (Costello, 2015;Soto, 2015). Students can compare their homes to the host country, and these comparisons help them to broaden their horizons and better understand where they come from (Soto, 2015).…”

Let me Fly Abroad: Student Migrations in the Context of Nepal

“…Likewise, the increasing demand for the quality higher education of the international degree has become the central point in attracting international students abroad (Chacko, 2020). However, Costello (2015) noted that student migration is an academic experience where students physically leave their home countries to engage in college study, cultural interaction, and move in the host country. Thus, thousands of international students have been going abroad for their higher education.…”

Fostering Intercultural Identity During Study Abroad to Strengthen Intercultural Competence

“…The benefits of study abroad have included qualitative and quantitative findings of the perceived and actual increases in students' cross-cultural understanding and competence (Cho & Morris, 2015;Costello, 2015;Naka, 2016). Costello (2015) notes that study abroad affords a powerful impact, "particularly in relation to its ability to foster intercultural competence" (p. 57).…”

“…The benefits of study abroad have included qualitative and quantitative findings of the perceived and actual increases in students' cross-cultural understanding and competence (Cho & Morris, 2015;Costello, 2015;Naka, 2016). Costello (2015) notes that study abroad affords a powerful impact, "particularly in relation to its ability to foster intercultural competence" (p. 57). Returning to Kim's (2000) stressadaptation-growth dynamic, the dissonance of having to effectively communicate with a foreign culture causes people to have to adapt their skills to get a positive outcome.…”