Improving African American College Students’ Participation in Study Abroad
12 Pages Posted: 24 Sep 2013
Date Written: December 1, 2012
Abstract
One of the major roles of colleges and universities is the preparation of the workforce for the global economy (Metzger, 2006). Regardless of efforts to diversify the study abroad population and increase the participation rate of minority students, Caucasians remain the largest group represented at 83% for the past 10 years (Current Trends in US Study Abroad and the Impact of Strategic Diversity Initiatives, 2007). In 2009/10, only 4.7% of all study abroad college students were African American, 6.4% were Hispanic American, and 0.5% were Native American (Institute for International Education, 2012). Reasons for these low percentages of study abroad participation among minority students have not been adequately investigated, nor are there a number of significant studies on the decision making process of minority college students who choose to participate in study abroad programs. Using Peterson’s (2003) Model of the Decision to Study Abroad, 20 African American undergraduate college students from a university in north east Maryland who already engaged in study abroad programs were interviewed to identify motivations and experiences for participation in study abroad programs. Based on Moustakas' (1994) modification of van Kaam's phenomenological methodology data were analyzed using NVivo 9 software. Twelve themes of significant importance for decision making emerged. Students also provided a wealth of information and creative suggestions for improving African American participation in Study Abroad. Increasing opportunities to study aboard is important in educating global citizens able to adapt quickly to their changing environments.
Keywords: study abroad, minority students, African American students
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