Study Abroad Business Courses: Establishing Importance, Improving Motivation and Overcoming Obstacles
Stephen Ferst and Alan Zimmerman
City University of New York - College of Staten Island, USA
Volume 15: 2020, pp. 213-228; ABSTRACT
Studying abroad has long been associated with positive outcomes for students, better retention, and greater success. In particular, research has shown that studying abroad leads students to higher levels of global awareness and self-actualization. Among the most prominent areas of intellectual and emotional growth were functional knowledge and global independence. These traits gained in the study abroad experience correlate well with the desires of future employers. They want graduates with global leadership skills who are prepared to work in multicultural settings, and who can adapt to a variety of cultural workstyles. This paper examines the latest research on education abroad courses and, calling on the combined experience of the two authors, outlines steps for establishing the importance of these courses in the minds of both business faculty and students. The paper also identifies strategies for increasing student motivation to participate in the study abroad experience. This paper will be most valuable to first-time leaders of education abroad courses, especially in business disciplines but will also serve as a refresher for experienced leaders of education abroad courses.
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