Long-Term Career Impact and Professional Applicability of the Study Abroad Experience

Autor/in	Franklin, Kimberly
Titel	Long-Term Career Impact and Professional Applicability of the Study Abroad Experience
Quelle	In: Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 19 (2010), S.169-190 (22 Seiten) PDF als Volltext (1); PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei (2) Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1085-4568
Schlagwörter	Employment Qualifications; Alumni; Intercultural Communication; Cultural Pluralism; Professional Development; Study Abroad; Career Choice; Metacognition; Cultural Awareness; Outcomes of Education + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Employment qualification; Vocational qualification; Vocational qualifications; Berufliche Qualifikation; Interkulturelle Kommunikation; Kulturpluralismus; Studies abroad; Auslandsstudium; Meta cognitive ability; Meta-cognition; Metakognitive Fähigkeit; Metakognition; Cultural identity; Kulturelle Identität; Lernleistung; Schulerfolg
Abstract	Research shows that study abroad experience affects professional qualifications. It is evident that employers value the skills and knowledge potentially gained from study abroad and that these competencies are transferable on the job. Nearly all known research lacks a longitudinal component. Of the few studies that focus on long-term outcomes, only three address professional development. Each asks two quintessential questions: (1) Do alumni gravitate toward working in an international capacity; and (2) Was career direction influenced by their experience. This study aimed to evaluate if and how study abroad has long-term impact on participants' professional development. It investigates the professional outcomes and benefits of studying abroad as perceived by study abroad alumni ten years following their undergraduate experience. Participants were questioned about the skills, knowledge, and self-awareness they acquired and maintained from their study abroad experience. Inquiries were made into how and if these acquisitions proved professionally applicable, influenced career paths, included work with international dimension, and contributed to success. The results strongly suggest that study abroad has significant long-lasting career impact and professional applicability. Results demonstrate that a majority of study abroad alumni in the sample gravitate toward a line of work with an international or multicultural dimension. Findings also suggest that knowledge, skills, and self-awareness gained by studying abroad are professionally applicable in the form of intercultural competences and personal growth. (Contains 2 tables.) (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	Frontiers Journal. Dickinson College P.O. Box 1773, Carlisle, PA 17013. Tel: 717-254-8858; Fax: 717-245-1677; Web site: http://www.frontiersjournal.com
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10