Study abroad education in New England higher education: a pilot survey

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to develop relevant questions for research by gaining anrninitial understanding of how the field of study abroad education is organizing itself within institutionsrnof higher education. The context is the growing numbers of students, demands, and expectations madernon study abroad programs.rnDesign/methodology/approach - The survey was carried out by analyzing publicly availablerndata and information, as it would be available to students, of all the accredited institutions of higherrneducation within the six states of New England.rnFindings - The findings confirm that albeit for Community Colleges, the vast majority of institutionsrnoffer study abroad programs. However, this survey also reveals the important role providers arernplaying in offering generic programs to students from multiple institutions.rnResearch limitations/implications - The findings call for further investigation into institutionalrnstrategies concerning the choice of programs, particularly those involving providers who potentiallyrnimply losing tuition and control over educational outcomes. Limitations are discussed suggesting thernneed to widen the geographical area studied as well as analyzing in more detail the Community Collegernofferings that are not easily accessible with the methodology that has been used in this paper.rnThe findings also raise some questions and future avenues of research particularly in the area ofrnexamining the integration of generic study abroad programs within particular institutional andrnprogrammatic objectives. It is also suggested that further research is needed to better evaluate if/howrnstudy abroad programs are designed to capitalize on the employability advantage they offer tornparticipating students when they enter the job market.rnOriginality/value - The number of US students participating in study abroad programs is expectedrnto continue to grow and it seems these programs will become part of mainstream offerings in mostrninstitutions. Similar trends are observed in Europe between member states. Besides giving a broadrnoverview of the current offerings, this pilot study principally reveals several important avenues forrnfuture research that should help institutions in their choices of programs and the orientation they givernto study abroad.