Trading Cultures, Transforming Lives

It is increasingly popular for college students to§study abroad. Almost 250,000 students from the U.S.§study abroad each year. Students often report that§their time abroad is transformative, enriching, and§one of the best experiences of their lives. These§glowing reports are encouraging, but until now there§have been very few scientific research studies on how§going abroad affects students' identity and personal§growth. This book describes a thorough and empirical§investigation of how students change while abroad.§Students abroad experienced personal growth, higher§life satisfaction, higher self-esteem, and other§positive changes. Students with certain traits, such§as extraversion and openness to experience, were§especially likely to experience positive change.§Various social behaviors abroad, as well as living§with a host family, were associated with identity§change. The findings are also explained in terms of§three well-known theories of identity. Findings from§this study can help students, parents, and§study-abroad professionals take steps to ensure that§study abroad is a particularly rewarding and§meaningful event. It is increasingly popular for college students to§study abroad. Almost 250,000 students from the U.S.§study abroad each year. Students often report that§their time abroad is transformative, enriching, and§one of the best experiences of their lives. These§glowing reports are encouraging, but until now there§have been very few scientific research studies on how§going abroad affects students'' identity and personal§growth. This book describes a thorough and empirical§investigation of how students change while abroad.§Students abroad experienced personal growth, higher§life satisfaction, higher self-esteem, and other§positive changes. Students with certain traits, such§as extraversion and openness to experience, were§especially likely to experience positive change.§Various social behaviors abroad, as well as living§with a host family, were associated with identity§change. The findings are also explained in terms of§three well-known theories of identity. Findings from§this study can help students, parents, and§study-abroad professionals take steps to ensure that§study abroad is a particularly rewarding and§meaningful event.