JOURNAL OF HIGHER EDUCATION THEORY AND PRACTICE

Doing More than Learning: What do Students Contribute

During a Study Abroad Experience?

Author(s): George H. Tompson, Robert Beekman, Holly B. Tompson, Phillip T. Kolbe

Citation: George H. Tompson, Robert Beekman, Holly B. Tompson, Phillip T. Kolbe, (2013) "Doing More than Learning: What do Students Contribute During a Study Abroad Experience?," Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, Vol. 13, Iss. 2, pp. 34 - 44

Article Type: Research paper

Publisher: North American Business Press

Abstract:

Scholars have written widely about the impact that study abroad has on students. For example, we have

examined the extent to which students experience growth in intercultural sensitivity, language skills, and

acuity in political systems. However, we know far less about what students give as opposed to what they

receive during study abroad. This paper reports the results of a study that was conducted during a recent

study abroad program. The results indicate that students have a small but positive economic impact on

the local communities where they visit.