Study Abroad: Factors Lending to the Decision

Abstract

In a world that is becoming more globally connected, universities in the United States of America are pushing for more students to participate in study abroad opportunities. The researcher looked to answer the following questions: What factors influence student involvement in study abroad programs? What influence does the study abroad office exert over a student’s decision to study abroad? What conceptions or circumstances do students have prior to college that stimulate them to decide one way or another? The results where then analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively paired with Social Judgment Theory. The data suggests that females, non-athletes, those that have traveled outside of the country before, and students who had a parent attend college are more likely to study abroad. The study also discusses a financial aspect, GPA, and traveling outside the country as additional factors.