Study Abroad and the Boomerang Effect: The End is Only the Beginning

Abstract

A growing body of evidence indicates that study abroad has a positive impact on a student’s cross-cultural development.  This study extends the findings of previous research by exploring the durability of changes to cross-cultural development four months after returning home.  Results indicate that overall gains achieved while abroad decline significantly after returning home and specifically decline with regard to viewing other cultures as superior to the student’s native culture (reversal tendencies). The research also finds significant gender differences.  Implications for educators and future research are discussed.