Education Abroad Learning Outcomes
Education Abroad Learning Outcomes
- From Bollen, M. C. (Ed.) A guide to outcomes assessment in education abroad. Carlisle, PA: Forum on Education Abroad.
Disciplinary Knowledge
- Synthesize academic/disciplinary concepts with real world phenomena
- Improve critical thinking skills
- Gain an international perspective of their career or discipline
- Gain an ability to translate theory into practice
Social and Emotional Growth
- Build independence
- Gain self-confidence
- Develop self-awareness
- Develop empathy
- Develop an increased tolerance for ambiguity
Global Awareness
- Develop awareness of the social, political and economic state of the local community
- Increase awareness of transportation, housing, employment, health care, education, climate and other realities beyond the U.S.
- Increase tolerance for living in regions of the world that have different physical environments
Cultural Consciousness
- Understand the nature of culture in general
- Understand their specific culture
- Become conscious of their own cultural perspective
- Engage diverse expressions of culture and belief
- Develop International goodwill and global citizenship
- Adapt effectively to cross-cultural settings
Language Learning
- Develop or improve language competency in speaking, listening, reading and writing
- Engage with others in the host language
- Understand the importance of language to the local community and society
Lifelong Learning
- Pursue continuous global learning
- Explore international opportunities after returning home
- Apply knowledge from abroad after returning home
Engagement
- Express a preliminary understanding of the different world-view of the local culture on a variety of religious, social and/or political issues
- Articulate an understanding of what it means to be the other, to be a stranger in a strange land
- Demonstrate a respect for the cultural differences that exist between the cultural values of the student and the local culture