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AMERICAN STUDY-ABROAD PROGRAMS IN GERMANY AND AUSTRIA: A COMPARISON OF OBJECTIVES AND PERCEIVED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Schmoll, Heidi Christine
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1177523417

Abstract Details

2007, Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, German.
Participation in study-abroad programs has become more and more prevalent in the last fifty years. This increase has created a greater need for research on the effects of study abroad. The objective of this study was to determine participant-perceived learning outcomes of study-abroad programs in Germany or Austria. These outcomes were centered on the social and cultural domain, language acquisition, and career influences. I also analyzed the objectives of the study-abroad programs to determine whether those aims were met. Seven established university programs with similar designs were used for this research. A total of 203 study-abroad alumni completed a carefully designed, online survey instrument. Survey questions asked participants to gauge the impact of the study-abroad experience on their language learning, cultural awareness, and career paths. Program literature from each university was analyzed, and interviews with program administration were conducted to designate the objectives of the programs. Results of the study showed that alumni reported increases in all three learning outcome domains. This perception, however, was strongest within the realm of personal and cultural development. While subjects recognized a degree of language acquisition, a feeling of missed language-learning opportunities emerged. Interestingly, participants did not indicate that gaining job marketability was a main goal for going abroad, and they, consequently, perceived a lower level of job marketability. The three main objectives of the university programs were language acquisition, personal development, and academic immersion. Over 80% of alumni felt a significant increase in their personal development, while 80.3% perceived a great deal of academic immersion, and 72% a significant increase in language acquisition. This study was a first step in objectively verifying the learning outcomes of study abroad. Recommendations for practice and improvement of programs were included as well as suggestions for further research.
Christina Guenther (Advisor)
96 p.
study abroad; study-abroad learning outcomes; Germany; Austria; study-abroad objectives; perceived learning outcomes; American study-abroad programs; effects of study abroad

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Schmoll, H. C. (2007). AMERICAN STUDY-ABROAD PROGRAMS IN GERMANY AND AUSTRIA: A COMPARISON OF OBJECTIVES AND PERCEIVED LEARNING OUTCOMES [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1177523417

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Schmoll, Heidi. AMERICAN STUDY-ABROAD PROGRAMS IN GERMANY AND AUSTRIA: A COMPARISON OF OBJECTIVES AND PERCEIVED LEARNING OUTCOMES. 2007. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1177523417.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Schmoll, Heidi. "AMERICAN STUDY-ABROAD PROGRAMS IN GERMANY AND AUSTRIA: A COMPARISON OF OBJECTIVES AND PERCEIVED LEARNING OUTCOMES." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1177523417

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1177523417
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© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.