The Eve of the Storm
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v34i2.671Keywords:
study abroad, culture shock, problem-focused coping, higher educationAbstract
In the first week of March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide, fourteen American travelers spent a week in Morocco. The researchers analyzed electronic correspondence, journals, recorded discussions among program participants, and interviews. The data suggest that (a) participants experienced culture shock very early in the trip, (b) travel disruptions (especially luggage loss) affected program participants more than COVID, (c) the program leaders concentrated on problems they felt they could solve, (d) exhaustion and stress were prevalent themes for the program leaders, and (e) the program leaders experienced doubt and confusion while helping program participants. We recommend that study abroad officials reexamine faculty and students' preparation and emergency procedures and avoid over-relying on third-party providers. We conclude that during a crisis, problem-focused coping can be a stress-reducing mechanism for study abroad program participants.
Abstract in Spanish
En la primera semana de marzo de 2020, cuando la pandemia de COVID-19 se extendió por todo el mundo, catorce viajeros estadounidenses pasaron una semana en Marruecos. Los investigadores analizaron la correspondencia electrónica, los diarios, las conversaciones grabadas entre los participantes del programa y las entrevistas. Los datos sugieren que (a) los participantes experimentaron un choque cultural muy temprano en el viaje, (b) las interrupciones del viaje (especialmente la pérdida de equipaje) afectaron a los participantes del programa más que el COVID, (c) los líderes del programa se concentraron en los problemas que sintieron que podían resolver, (d) el agotamiento y el estrés fueron temas predominantes para los líderes del programa, y (e) los líderes del programa experimentaron dudas y confusión mientras ayudaban a los participantes del programa. Recomendamos que los funcionarios de estudios en el extranjero vuelvan a examinar la preparación de profesores y estudiantes y los procedimientos de emergencia y eviten depender demasiado de proveedores externos. Concluimos que durante una crisis, el afrontamiento centrado en el problema puede ser un mecanismo para reducir el estrés para los participantes del programa de estudios en el extranjero.
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Copyright (c) 2022 Kayli Elaine Burnside, Cristina Wildermuth, Marguerite Wildermuth
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