Students' Stories of Studying Abroad: Reflections upon Return.

AbstractStudy abroad brings an enriching experience to students' academic and personal lives. This narrative essay relays two students' experiences with study abroad sojourns and touches upon their technology use during their study abroad as recounted in semi-structured interviews. Details of their cultural experiences and reflections thereof as well as the impact these experiences had on their lives are presented. Student participation in study abroad semesters is increasing each year. Understanding previous students' experience studying abroad, how this impacted their studies and life afterwards can inform decision making of other students considering this option. Additionally, awareness of the technologies used to stay in touch with those at home informs administrative and technical decisions for institutions to consider.Keywords: study abroad, higher education, narrative, technologyStudy abroad is a popular university experience for students as it allows them to travel to another country or continent to study in a foreign institution. Students can expect exposure to foreign languages and cultures, and possibly have opportunities to learn the language and immerse themselves in cultural experiences. The number of students engaging in study abroad is growing (OECD, 2011). Student participation in study abroad semesters is increasing each year; the numbers of students studying abroad have increased four-fold in the last two decades (OECD, 2011). In Canada 45, 090 students studied abroad (UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2012). According to the Institute of International Education (2013), 283,332 students from American institutions studied abroad in 20101/12 (para 1). As this number continues to grow, it is ever important to hear and learn from students' experiences in order to know what works well for participants and how this experience impacts their lives upon repatriation. Similarly, as the technology use continues to integrate daily lives it is important to know which technologies study abroad students find useful.Review of Related LiteratureStudy Abroad is an academic experience where students "physically leave [their home countries] to engage in college study, cultural interaction, and more in the host country. It may include foreign language study, residing with a foreign host family, internships, and service" (McKeown, 2009, p. 12). It can range from one week to a full academic year or program. Deardorff(2009) warns of the tendency to focus on Western-based definitions. While there is consensus that study abroad programs see students traveling to a foreign country to study, there are debates relating to what form these programs take. The debates relate to its duration, credit-granting, collegial arrangement with educational institution, and related finances. For some, credit must be received if it is to be considered a study abroad (LeBlanc, 2003). Niser (2010) outlines four types of study abroad programs: (a) one-to-one arrangements between institutions; (b) partnerships with host institution; (c) programs run by study abroad providers; and (d) programs managed by home institutions.Barriers and BenefitsBarriers to study abroad for most students include: (a) perception of such programs being reserved for the rich; (b) costly; (c) minority's fears of facing prejudices; and (d) advisors who shy away from questions of race and ethnicity. Walsh (2010) warns that a "lack of integration of overseas students represents a missed opportunity for all students to develop intercultural competence, increasingly valuable as competition for jobs and resources becomes more global" (p. 557). Stewart (2010) warns that study abroad for second language learning is less effective today than twenty years ago. This is due primarily to social networking, email, and visitors which interfere with the process of learning a second language.The benefits of study abroad far outweigh the barriers and drawbacks. …