Study Abroad Learning Activities: A Synthesis and Comparison

Abstract

Learning activities are described for study abroad tours with appropriateness discussed in terms of study tour characteristics of location, integration with academic credit, and time spent on the tour. Journal writing is the most versatile activity. Company visits are the most impressive to students. Simulations engage students but require computer technology. Projects require sufficient research resources. Lecture/testing and treasure hunts require more time on tour.

Teaching International Tourism: An Interdisciplinary, Field-based Course

“…Gmelch (1997) finds that it is not cross-cultural learning, but rather personal development that dominates the learning experience of American study abroad students. Similar findings are reported by Carlson et al (1990), Immetman and Schneider (1998), and Duke (2000), who specifically argue that impacts depend heavily on the learning activities in which students engage while abroad. Thus traditional study abroad programs, which involve students traveling and studying on their own, do not seem to prepare students well and also do not provide students with help to engage in reflective observation, an element critical to Kolb's (1984) experiential learning theory.…”

“…The field trip focused on providing students with a multitude of very different experiences. In contrast to conventional study abroad courses that often involve periods of inclassroom teaching and coursework (Duke, 2000), there were no traditional lectures in the sense of faculty presenting content or materials to students that took place during the field trip. However, we often gathered the students to point out specific things, provide directions for what they should pay attention to, and discuss the experiences we had.…”

Planning, Organizing, and Conducting a 2-Week Study Abroad Trip for Undergraduate Students: Guidelines for First-Time Faculty

“…The pros and cons of different in-country learning activities as they relate to tour location, time spent on the tour, and course credit have also received attention in the literature (Duke, 2000). Gordon and Smith (1992) presented a detailed itinerary of tour activities, but they offered no guidance on what worked well and what did not.…”

A Study Abroad Program Around the Vatertag Vacation Period

“…Students walk away from the Vatertag experience with knowledge and confidence that they can apply to their future (Duke, 2000). By walking in the shoes of the tourist themselves, they relate better to what future tourists would need and expect in purchasing tourism packages from them.…”