Toward an Understanding of Peer Influence on Undergraduate Study Abroad Participation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v30i3.421Keywords:
Peer influence, Student decision, Study abroad, Education abroad, Social network analysisAbstract
This study explores the role of peer influence on students’ decisions to participate in study abroad. Although previous research has identified many factors that relate to study abroad participation, peer influence represents an underexplored factor for consideration in this line of research. Using the tools of social network analysis, this study finds a small but significant relationship between peer study abroad and a student’s participation in study abroad. Results provide food for thought about the way peers may influence students in their decisions surrounding study abroad, both directly and indirectly. This line of inquiry has important implications for education abroad professionals who seek to leverage peer influence so that students make optimal decisions
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References
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Ajzen, I. (1988). Attitudes, Personality, and Behavior. Chicago, IL: Open University Press.
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, 179-211.
Brux, J.M., & Fry, B. (2010). Multicultural students in study abroad: Their interests, their issues, and their constraints. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14, 508-527.
Dessoff, A. (2006). Who’s NOT going abroad? International Educator, 15(2), 20-27.
Doyle, S., Gendall, P., Meyer, L.H., Hoek, J., Tait, C., McKenzie, L., & Loorparg, A. (2010). An investigation of factors associated with student participation in study abroad. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14, 471-490.
Engle, L., & Engle, J. (2004). Assessing Language Acquisition and Intercultural Sensitivity Development in Relation to Study Abroad Program Design. Frontiers: The interdisciplinary journal of study abroad, 10, 219-236.
Fornerino, M., Jolibert, A., Sánchez, C.M., & Zhang, M. (2011). Do values or goals better explain intent? A cross-national comparison. Journal of Business Research, 64, 490-496.
Freed, B. F. (Ed.). (1995). Second language acquisition in a study abroad context. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
Goel, L., De Jong, P., & Schnusenberg, O. (2010). Toward a comprehensive framework of study abroad intentions and behaviors. Journal of Teaching in International Business, 21, 248-265.
Goldstein, S.B., & Kim, R.I. (2006). Predictors of U.S. college students’ participation in study abroad programs: A longitudinal study. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 30, 507-521.
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Kasravi, J. (2009). Factors influencing the decision to study abroad for students of color: Moving beyond the barriers (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Minnesota.
Lo, S. (2006). Defining the peer advisor in the U.S. study abroad context. Journal of Studies in International Education, 10, 173-184.
Lokkesmoe, K.J., Kuchinke, K.P., & Ardichvili, A. (2016) Developing cross-cultural awareness through foreign immersion programs: Implications of university study abroad research for global competency development. European Journal of Training and Development, 40, 166-170.
Luo, J., & Jamieson-Drake, D. (2015). Predictors of study abroad intent, participation, and college outcomes. Research in Higher Education, 56, 29-56.
McClure, K.R., Szelényi, K., Niehaus, E., Anderson, A.A., & Reed, J. (2010). “We just don’t have that possibility yet”: U.S. Latina/o narratives on study abroad. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 47, 363-382.
NAFSA. (2017). Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act. Retrieved from http://www.nafsa.org/Publicpolicy.aspx?id=6692
NCES. (2010). Classification of Instructional Programs. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/Default.aspx?y=55
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Presley, A., Damron-Martinez, D., & Zhang, L. (2010). A study of business student choice to study abroad: A test of the theory of planned behavior. Journal of Teaching in International Business, 21, 227-247.
Regan, V., Howard, M., & Lemée, I. The Acquisition of Sociolinguistic Competence in a Study Abroad Context. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
Salisbury, M.H., Paulsen, M.B., & Pascarella, E.T. (2010). To see the world or stay at home: Applying an integrated student choice model to explore the gender gap in the intent to study abroad. Research in Higher Education, 51, 615-640.
Salisbury, M.H., Paulsen, M.B., & Pascarella, E.T. (2011). Why do all study abroad students look alike? Applying an integrated student choice model to explore differences in the factors that influence white and minority students’ intent to study abroad. Research in Higher Education, 52, 123-150.
Salisbury, M.H., Umbach, P.D., Paulsen, M.B., & Pascarella, E.T. (2009). Going global: Understanding the choice process of the intent to study abroad. Research in Higher Education, 50, 119-143.
Schnusenberg, O., De Jong, P., & Goel, L. (2012). Predicting study abroad intentions based on the theory of planned behavior. Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, 10, 337-361.
Stroud, A.H. (2010). Who plans (not) to study abroad? An examination of U.S. student intent. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14, 491-507.
Valente, T.W. (2005). Network models and methods for studying diffusion of innovations. In P.J. Carrington, J. Scott, & S. Wasserman (Eds.), Models and methods in Social Networks Analysis (pp. 98-116). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Van Der Meid, J.S. (2003). Asian Americans: Factors influencing the decision to study abroad. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 9, 71-110.
Whatley, M. (2017, in press). Financing study abroad: An exploration of the influence of financial factors on student study abroad patterns. Journal of Studies in International Education.
Williams, F. (2007). Study abroad and Carnegie doctoral/research extensive universities: Preparing students from Underrepresented racial groups to live in a global environment. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
Williams, T.R. (2005). Exploring the impact of study abroad on students’ intercultural communication skills: Adaptability and sensitivity. Journal of Studies in International Education, 9, 356-371.
Zhai, L. & Scheer, S.D. (2002). Influence of international study abroad programs on agricultural college students. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 9(3), 23-29.
Ajzen, I. (1988). Attitudes, Personality, and Behavior. Chicago, IL: Open University Press.
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, 179-211.
Brux, J.M., & Fry, B. (2010). Multicultural students in study abroad: Their interests, their issues, and their constraints. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14, 508-527.
Dessoff, A. (2006). Who’s NOT going abroad? International Educator, 15(2), 20-27.
Doyle, S., Gendall, P., Meyer, L.H., Hoek, J., Tait, C., McKenzie, L., & Loorparg, A. (2010). An investigation of factors associated with student participation in study abroad. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14, 471-490.
Engle, L., & Engle, J. (2004). Assessing Language Acquisition and Intercultural Sensitivity Development in Relation to Study Abroad Program Design. Frontiers: The interdisciplinary journal of study abroad, 10, 219-236.
Fornerino, M., Jolibert, A., Sánchez, C.M., & Zhang, M. (2011). Do values or goals better explain intent? A cross-national comparison. Journal of Business Research, 64, 490-496.
Freed, B. F. (Ed.). (1995). Second language acquisition in a study abroad context. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
Goel, L., De Jong, P., & Schnusenberg, O. (2010). Toward a comprehensive framework of study abroad intentions and behaviors. Journal of Teaching in International Business, 21, 248-265.
Goldstein, S.B., & Kim, R.I. (2006). Predictors of U.S. college students’ participation in study abroad programs: A longitudinal study. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 30, 507-521.
Institute of International Education. (2016). Open Doors 2016: Report on International Educational Exchange. Retrieved from http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors
Kasravi, J. (2009). Factors influencing the decision to study abroad for students of color: Moving beyond the barriers (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Minnesota.
Lo, S. (2006). Defining the peer advisor in the U.S. study abroad context. Journal of Studies in International Education, 10, 173-184.
Lokkesmoe, K.J., Kuchinke, K.P., & Ardichvili, A. (2016) Developing cross-cultural awareness through foreign immersion programs: Implications of university study abroad research for global competency development. European Journal of Training and Development, 40, 166-170.
Luo, J., & Jamieson-Drake, D. (2015). Predictors of study abroad intent, participation, and college outcomes. Research in Higher Education, 56, 29-56.
McClure, K.R., Szelényi, K., Niehaus, E., Anderson, A.A., & Reed, J. (2010). “We just don’t have that possibility yet”: U.S. Latina/o narratives on study abroad. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 47, 363-382.
NAFSA. (2017). Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act. Retrieved from http://www.nafsa.org/Publicpolicy.aspx?id=6692
NCES. (2010). Classification of Instructional Programs. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/Default.aspx?y=55
Niehaus, E. & Inkelas, K.K. (2016). Understanding STEM majors’ intent to study abroad. College Student Affairs Journal, 34, 70-84.
Presley, A., Damron-Martinez, D., & Zhang, L. (2010). A study of business student choice to study abroad: A test of the theory of planned behavior. Journal of Teaching in International Business, 21, 227-247.
Regan, V., Howard, M., & Lemée, I. The Acquisition of Sociolinguistic Competence in a Study Abroad Context. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
Salisbury, M.H., Paulsen, M.B., & Pascarella, E.T. (2010). To see the world or stay at home: Applying an integrated student choice model to explore the gender gap in the intent to study abroad. Research in Higher Education, 51, 615-640.
Salisbury, M.H., Paulsen, M.B., & Pascarella, E.T. (2011). Why do all study abroad students look alike? Applying an integrated student choice model to explore differences in the factors that influence white and minority students’ intent to study abroad. Research in Higher Education, 52, 123-150.
Salisbury, M.H., Umbach, P.D., Paulsen, M.B., & Pascarella, E.T. (2009). Going global: Understanding the choice process of the intent to study abroad. Research in Higher Education, 50, 119-143.
Schnusenberg, O., De Jong, P., & Goel, L. (2012). Predicting study abroad intentions based on the theory of planned behavior. Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, 10, 337-361.
Stroud, A.H. (2010). Who plans (not) to study abroad? An examination of U.S. student intent. Journal of Studies in International Education, 14, 491-507.
Valente, T.W. (2005). Network models and methods for studying diffusion of innovations. In P.J. Carrington, J. Scott, & S. Wasserman (Eds.), Models and methods in Social Networks Analysis (pp. 98-116). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Van Der Meid, J.S. (2003). Asian Americans: Factors influencing the decision to study abroad. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 9, 71-110.
Whatley, M. (2017, in press). Financing study abroad: An exploration of the influence of financial factors on student study abroad patterns. Journal of Studies in International Education.
Williams, F. (2007). Study abroad and Carnegie doctoral/research extensive universities: Preparing students from Underrepresented racial groups to live in a global environment. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
Williams, T.R. (2005). Exploring the impact of study abroad on students’ intercultural communication skills: Adaptability and sensitivity. Journal of Studies in International Education, 9, 356-371.
Zhai, L. & Scheer, S.D. (2002). Influence of international study abroad programs on agricultural college students. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 9(3), 23-29.
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Published
2018-08-15
How to Cite
Whatley, M. (2018). Toward an Understanding of Peer Influence on Undergraduate Study Abroad Participation. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 30(3), 51–71. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v30i3.421
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