Date of Award
2010
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
School of Education
Abstract
This study focuses on the growing popularity of short-term study abroad programs and aims to determine the impact of such programs on producing intercultural sensitivity. A pre and post-departure survey were administered to undergraduate and graduate students to analyze students' perceptions of their own intercultural sensitivity prior to a short-term study abroad experience and after. This study uses the Intercultural Sensitivity Index developed by Christa Lee Olson and Kent R. Kroger in 2001 to assess the students' levels of intercultural sensitivity. The study reveals that this particular short-term experience had minimal impact on participants' levels of intercultural sensitivity, but illustrates that short-term programs continue to be valid experiences within the study abroad field. This research provides useful information to educators regarding the effectiveness of short-term study abroad programs and helps them determine whether these programs are meeting their intended goals.
Recommended Citation
Zarnick, Barbara Elizabeth, "Short-Term Study Abroad Programs and the Development of Intercultural Sensitivity" (2010). Master's Theses. 512.
https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_theses/512
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2010 Barbara Elizabeth Zarnick
