F or m６(by MS Word data)
Grant No.

12－020Research Report
Name : Sarah Renee AsadaOrganization (at the time of the grant): Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University

Title of Research:
Japan as the Gateway to Asia and Beyond: The long-term impacts of American undergraduate study abroad
experiences
Purpose of Research:（400 words）
Higher education is facing an era in which the development of intercultural competencies and international
understanding are more important than ever for all stakeholders involved to succeed and have a competitive edge, andinternationalization is considered by many as a viable strategy to meet this demand. Student mobility is widely isrecognized as one of the main pillars of the internationalization of higher education to cultivate skills required to becompetitive in the global knowledge economy. While considerable consensus exists regarding the importance of study
abroad programs as a process of the internationalization of higher education to promote the cultivation of interculturalcompetent and internationally-minded individuals for a globally competitive society of the global knowledge economy,
current research focuses mainly on assessing the short-term impact of study abroad in a wide range of destinations.
This study aims to contribute to the knowledge of the long-term impacts of study abroad in general and also in thecontext of US-Japan mobility by examining the experiences of American undergraduate students in Japan. The intent of
this research is to inquire into the role of study abroad in participants’ personal transformation that later manifests intheir academic, professional, personal life examine the long-term impact of the study abroad experience on theparticipants' subsequent bilateral, regional, and global orientated behaviors and attitudes, and gain an understanding ofsubsequent migration after the completion of study abroad.
This study will offer both practical and academic contributions to the fields of international studies, comparativeinternational education, and higher education. First, this research aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of thehistorical development of study abroad programs and the long-term impact of study abroad on participants. Secondly,
theoretical contributions pertaining to subsequent bilateral, regional and global oriented behaviors and attitudes can bemade through examining the long-term impacts beyond just international by identifying relationships between thehome country with not only the host country but also regions throughout the globe. Finally, the findings of this study
will provide a concrete example that illustrates the importance of study abroad to foster and nurture the US-Japan
relationship and the potential of Japan as the gateway to Asia and beyond through study abroad.
Content/Methodology of Research:（800 words）
Mixed-method research strategies was employed to complete the research objectives that seek to inquire the long-term
impacts of study abroad on the individual participants. The study utlized a retrospective tracer study and aimed toresearch study abroad alumni covering nearly 50 years (1963-2010). The study provides a local view of the study
abroad experience on a selected study abroad program in order to gain a better understanding of the long-term impact
of international experiences on undergraduate students from the participant perspective. The sample includes
approximately 1,400 participants who have studied abroad for one academic year or one semester for academic credit
in Japan from the United States during the period of 1963-2010. A sequential mixed methods design was utilized andconsisted of two phases.
Phase one consists of a single, cross sectional, online survey instrument administered to the 530 individuals and aims toyield a baseline dataset of study abroad alumni and their long-term impact of study abroad. The online survey wasadministered in January to February 2012 and was open for a one month time span. The survey was emailed by thestudy abroad program Director to approximately 530 individuals to ask for cooperation in the study. Due to the limited
knowledge of current contact information, it was impossible to send to all former program participants. The online
survey response rate was 50% with almost equal representation of each cohort of study participants from the 48 year
timespan. The survey includes 57 questions within four major categories: basic demographics, key study abroad
program elements, impact of study abroad on academic attainment, career development and personal development, andoverall impact of study abroad. Additionally, the survey incorporates three dimensions, bilteral (US-Japan), regional( US-Asia), and global (US-worldwide), in order to examine and gain a better understanding of impact of study abroad

on these behaviors and attitudes.
Phase two consists of qualitative in-depth interviews focusing on individually experiences and employs purposive
sampling from respondents who volunteered to be interviewed during survey in order to get perspectives from
respondents who have experienced the central phenomenon. A total of 30 in-depth interviews were conducted. Theinterviews provide informative insights and enriched understanding to the long-term impacts of study abroad that areimpossible to capture using the quantitative survey data. Typologies of the interview respondents included individuals
who remained largely in the US, returned to Japan, went to Asia, or lived worldwide.
Conclusion/Observation（400 words）
This study shows that for respondents their study abroad experience is one of the most important experiences they had
during their undergraduate education. Second, the findings demonstrate how the study abroad influenced respondents
in terms of the academic, career, and personal development. Third, this study shows just how influential the study
abroad experience is perceived by participants in terms of their attitudes and behaviors on transnational, regional, andglobal dimensions. These dimensions are explored in detail by systematic inquires into their post-study abroad
behaviors and attitudes in relation to Japan, Asia, and the world. This approach provides a new and clearer
understanding in the ways study abroad can manifest into public diplomacy and a gateway to the region and world
through the personal transformation of participants. Based on the empirical findings of this study, study abroad
participants acted as a bridge between the US to Japan, Asia, and the world. Also, Japan, as a study abroad destination,
was a gateway to Asia and the world for respondents. The findings of this study noted respondents felt a heightenedawareness of Asia and the world through their study abroad experience. The outcomes resonate in all areas of theindividuals’ life: academic, career, and personal. In general, the study abroad experience reinforced the participants’connection to Japan while raising awareness and interest in Asia and the world. These outcomes manifests in theirsubsequent educational decisions, academic attainment, career development and personal/intercultural development.
The act of studying abroad has life-long influences on participants, and they form a strong bond with the host country
that lasts throughout their life. This tie manifests in the participants’ subsequent career, academic, and personal
development. Through administering this study to a selected sample, the potential of the study abroad experience to act
as a gateway to the region and the world and create bridges between nations has been empirically and systematicallydocumented. This finding is particularly salient given the current imperative for the cultivation of individuals withknowledge of the world and cultures outside of their own and the need for not only bilateral but also regionalcooperation. This is particularly salient for Japan and the US as they continue to strengthen their ties through mutual
academic exchange and adapt to the changing world and conditions in Asia. The findings of the study support current
national and institutional policies that seek to foster global leaders to further the prosperity of their countries andstrengthening ties with other nations and regions. As nations and regions mutually seek more cooperation, thepromotion of study abroad programs can be an effective strategy to build a solid foundation of individuals equippedwith the skills and knowledge required for a global society.