It is Better if You Come with Me: An Exploratory Investigation of Study Abroad Program Effects on Internationalized Career Interest

Authors

  • Randall M. Croom Stetson University
  • Scott A. Jones Stetson University
  • Carolyn Y. Nicholson Stetson University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v34i4.591

Keywords:

study abroad, homesickness

Abstract

We conduct an exploratory study about study abroad programs in business schools. In a small sample, we find satisfaction with the study abroad experience is positively related to participants’ reported willingness to accept jobs that require international travel and jobs that require international work collaboration. Additionally, students who developed relationships during their study abroad were more likely to evaluate the experience positively, indicating that fostering relationships is an important factor for study abroad leaders to consider. We also employed homesickness as an exploratory variable, finding that expected homesickness is negatively related to expected satisfaction with study abroad experiences, which may explain some reluctance to study and work abroad.

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Author Biographies

Randall M. Croom, Stetson University

Dr. Randall Croom, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Management at the Stetson University School of Business Administration. He researches a variety of topics, most recently these include a focus intersection of organizational behavior and entrepreneurship, decision making, individual differences, and business ethics.

Scott A. Jones, Stetson University

Dr. Scott Jones, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Stetson University. He earned a Ph.D. in Marketing from the University of Oregon. His primary research interests lie at the intersection of branding and consumer behavior with a specialization in sport marketing. Dr. Scott Jones is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Stetson University. He earned a Ph.D. in Marketing from the University of Oregon. His primary research interests lie at the intersection of branding and consumer behavior with a specialization in sport marketing.

Carolyn Y. Nicholson, Stetson University

Carolyn Y. Nicholson, Ph.D., is the McNamara Professor of Marketing at Stetson University. She earned a Ph.D. in Marketing from Virginia Tech and an M.A. in Communication from The University of Georgia. Her primary research areas include supply chain behaviors and communication, along with sustainable marketing and consumer behavior pedagogy. Her teaching interests include supply chains, consumer behavior, and brand messaging. She is a strong proponent of experiential and lateral learning pedagogies.

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Published

2022-11-18

How to Cite

Croom, R., Jones, S., & Nicholson, C. (2022). It is Better if You Come with Me: An Exploratory Investigation of Study Abroad Program Effects on Internationalized Career Interest. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 34(4), 442–458. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v34i4.591

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Section

Research Articles