Student Perceptions of Study Abroad at the University

Student Perceptions of Study Abroad at the University of Florida Caroline Cully and Jessica Childers University of Florida International Center (UFIC)

About Us Caroline Cully • SAS Assistant Director • Advises for Belgium, Netherlands, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Global E 3 • Studied abroad in Russia and Israel • Lead study abroad programs in Italy and Greece. Jessica Childers • Evaluation Specialist for UFIC’s Office for Global Research Engagement • Master’s student in Research and Evaluation Methodology • SA alumni (UF in Utrecht, 2006) • Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Republic of Georgia, 2009 -2011)

What we will cover • Overview of Study Abroad at UF • Introduction to the Study Abroad Student Survey (SASS) • How we developed the SASS • Results from the survey • What we’re doing with the results

Study Abroad at UF Number of students: ~2, 300/year Most of our students participate in: - Summer programs (1, 496) - Faculty-led programs - In Western Europe

Purpose of Survey • To understand students’ perceptions of and experiences with study abroad (SA) at UF • To develop strategies that – guide the development of new SA initiatives, – increase student engagement in study abroad, and – foster a culture of support at an institutional level for student engagement in SA

Development of survey items • Reviewed existing surveys and research literature • Discussion with SAS Director and Assistant Director to determine the focus of the survey questions • Drafted questions reviewed and critiqued by: – the Study Abroad Evaluation Advisory group (which includes evaluation and content experts) and – the Study Abroad Services (SAS) unit (including Advisors and representatives from the Fiscal unit that work with the SAS unit)

Testing the survey • Beta-test with Study Abroad Peer Advisors (SAPAs), a UF student organization of former study abroad participants, who were asked to – Take the survey – Email a friend who has not studied abroad to take the survey – Send their feedback on the survey’s clarity, difficulty to answer questions, and missing questions. • Reviewed beta-test responses to ensure that the response options were utilized in the manner intended • The students’ feedback suggested minor adjustments to the survey, which were made.

Distributing the survey • Sent to the entire UF student body – Open from November 2014 to February 2015 – Via: • weekly student newsletter (all undergraduate and graduate students) • department and college listservs • Area Studies Centers’ listservs • study abroad student organization listservs

Details about the final survey • Final survey: – Reflects the needs, terminology, and local situation of UFIC’s SAS. – Contained 29 items total • Seven open-ended questions • Two forced-response items related to students’ experience studying abroad and their academic college affiliation – Sorted respondents into two groups: • students who have participated in SA and • students who have not – Respondents who have participated in SA were asked questions related to their study abroad experience.

Results Total of 575 complete responses • Respondent profile – Responses received from all colleges that offer undergraduate degrees • Liberal Arts & Sciences: 18% • Business: 16% • Journalism and Communications: 11% • Remaining colleges: less than 10% each – Year of study • • Freshman: 22% Sophomore: 20% Junior: 33% Senior: 25% – Sex: 80% female – Racial and Ethnic background: • • White: 55% Hispanic/Latino: 15% Asian: 7% Black or African American: 6% Have you studied abroad? Yes – 21% No – 79%

About students who studied abroad Survey Respondents • Type of program – UF-faculty led programs: 67% – Non-UF programs: 21% – UF-Exchange programs: 15% – Internship, service learning, or independent research: 8% • Number of times – One program: 87% – Two programs: 8% – 3 -5 programs: 3% • Length of program – Less than two weeks: 7% – 2 -3 weeks: 12% – 4 -7 weeks: 47% – 8 -15 weeks: 14% – More than 15 weeks: 26% @ UF overall • Type of program – UF-faculty led programs: 70% – Non-UF programs: 15% – UF-Exchange programs: 11% – Internship, service learning, or independent research: 1%

How students hear about SA 51% Another student who participated in study abroad 35% Study Abroad Fair SA Advisor or Peer Advisor during a class talk 34% 32% Course Instructor (as part of a class or seminar) 30% Faculty member or course instructor International Center website 25% SA Advisor during a one-on-one meeting 25% Academic advisor 25% General or program-specific SA Information. . . 24% Study Abroad front desk 13% Study Abroad Peer Advisors Other 11% 2%

Reasons students participated in SA Wanted a cultural experience 94% To visit other countries 92% It would benefit my future career 74% To spend time away from UF/Gainesville 57% Interested in learning a language 46% To earn credits toward my major 44% To earn summer residency credit 25% I have a friend who studied abroad 24% To earn general education credits I have family ties to another country Other 19% 8% 6%

Interest in Study Abroad Students who have studied abroad Students who have not studied abroad • Considering SA again? • Intend to SA while at UF? – Yes: 84% – Maybe: 9% – No: 8% – Yes: 44% – Unsure: 34% – No: 21%

Why students have not studied abroad It is too expensive 67% I am still considering study abroad as an option 56% Study abroad does not fit my degree plan 30% I needed to work instead 22% Study abroad would delay my graduation 19% Concern about the language barrier 16% I am involved in student activities 14% My family worried about my leaving the USA 13% No one encouraged me to do it 11% Study abroad is not beneficial to my career 9% I have family obligations here 8% Concern about political tensions/fear of terrorism I never thought about it I did not want to leave Florida or the USA I am involved in athletic activities at UF Other 7% 4% 3% 2% 12%

Factors that influenced students’ decisions to study abroad Encouraged Neither Encouraged nor Discouraged to SA Discouraged from SA Personal interest in travel 100% 0% 0% The opportunity to learn about a new culture or a language 95% 5% 0% Contribution to future career 84% 15% 1% Family influence 64% 33% 3% Structure of study abroad program 62% 8% 4% Structure of my academic program and degree at UF 61% 27% 12% Previous interaction with students from different 53% 45% 1% background/country Level of support from my major/track 53% 35% 12% Impact of study abroad on my graduation date 36% 56% 7% Connection to another country (i. e. , relatives or previous 33% 66% 1% travel) Availability of financial aid 33% 47% 19% Program cost 32% 31% 37% Personal health and safety considerations 27% 70% 3% Availability of SA scholarship 24% 55% 21%

Factors that influenced students’ decisions to not study abroad Program cost Structure of my academic program and degree at UF Impact of study abroad on my graduation date Availability of SA scholarship Availability of financial aid Level of support from my major/track Family influence Structure of study abroad program Personal health and safety considerations Contribution to future career Connection to another country (i. e. , relatives or previous travel) Previous interaction with students from different background/country The opportunity to learn about a new culture or a language Personal interest in travel Encouraged Neither Encouraged nor Discouraged to SA Discouraged from SA 4% 29% 9% 23% 24% 29% 38% 42% 10% 62% 29% 52% 41% 38% 40% 46% 44% 77% 33% 74% 41% 39% 37% 32% 16% 14% 13% 5% 37% 59% 4% 53% 45% 2% 85% 91% 13% 9% 2% 0%

Who encourages students to study abroad? SA students Non-SA students Faculty Your members/course undergraduate academic Response options instructors coordinator advisor Faculty Your members/course undergraduate instructors coordinator Your academic advisor 51% 35% 33% A Lot 26% 15% 21% 17% Some 27% 18% 20% 7% 10% 13% Little 18% 15% 18% 13% 21% 24% None 26% 40% 8% 17% 13% N/A 3% 11% 7%

Students’ suggestions for encouraging others to study abroad • • • Market study abroad to all majors Provide scholarship/financial info Have SA alumni share their experience Particularly, reach out to freshman Talk about programs in classes

Now What: How do we take this information and use it in effectively in our office? Identify a small number of target areas to address student needs: 1. Cost 2. Information on options 3. Degree plan

Key Areas It is too expensive 67% I am still considering study abroad as an option 56% Study abroad does not fit my degree plan 30% I needed to work instead 1. Cost 2. Information on options 3. Degree plan 22% Study abroad would delay my graduation 19% Concern about the language barrier 16% I am involved in student activities 14% My family worried about my leaving the USA 13% No one encouraged me to do it 11% Study abroad is not beneficial to my career 9% I have family obligations here 8% Concern about political tensions/fear of terrorism I never thought about it I did not want to leave Florida or the USA I am involved in athletic activities at UF Other 7% 4% 3% 2% 12%

Discussion Question: How do you help your students understand costs for study abroad?

Cost: Students think: Study Abroad costs way too much money. I can’t afford it.

Cost:

Cost: What are we doing? • Funding Fair • Gilman Scholarship Info Sessions • Scholarship advising • Financial Aid Advisor

Information: Already occurring: – Information Sessions (weekly) – Class talks – Table at events – Peer advising with SAPAs – Study Abroad Fairs – Advising

Information: How we are expanding: • Identifying key groups on campus to address: Hispanic Student Alliance, Fraternities, Black Engineers of America • Identifying study abroad alumni from specific groups to present (students learn from students).

Degree Plan: Current Advising: • Region/Country-based Specific • UF Faculty led programs described by location Need to emphasis Program Content not location in advising

Degree Plan: Major-based Advising: • Advising based on College/Major • Major-specific info sessions within the colleges and departments • Major-specific marketing materials

Outreach to Colleges and Departments To create a culture of support for student participation in study abroad: • Create partnerships between SAS and academic advisors/undergraduate coordinators • Create new and strengthen existing partnerships between SAS and Faculty

Discussion Question: What types of outreach activities does your Study Abroad Office conduct with departments and colleges to get their support for student participation in study abroad?

Key Takeaways • Involve Study Abroad unit in survey development – they are the content experts! • Let the needs of the Study Abroad unit drive the survey and evaluation efforts. • Don’t be afraid of the results – use them to improve! • Decisions for how to use the results determined by the Study Abroad unit – they know their audience and what they can feasibly do to address the audience’s needs.

QUESTIONS?

THANK YOU! CONTACT INFO CAROLINE CULLY AND JESSICA CHILDERS UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL CENTER EMAIL: CCULLY@UFIC. UFL. EDU AND JCHILDERS@UFIC. UFL. EDU WEBSITE: HTTP: //UFIC. UFL. EDU/