Study abroad is an integral part of increasing global learning at the college and university

level. Students that participate in these programs often have transformative experiences that may
help them with exploring career and major options and with opening up to new possibilities.
Research compiled by the Institute of International education states that only 9% of
undergraduate students participated in study abroad during the 2011-2012 school year (Open
Doors 2013). Even with its list of benefits students often ignore study abroad programs. My
research topic looks at barriers to undergraduate student participation in study abroad programs.
The survey specifically looks at what influences an undergraduate college students likelihood to
study abroad. The survey assesses demographic information such as students major, if they are a
first generation college student and students ethnicity. Other factors included in the survey as
influences are finances, family obligations, previous travel experiences, fear of traveling to an
unknown place, duration of the trip, students academic progress and students interest in foreign
languages. If developed correctly a survey like this one could be a beneficial tool for study
abroad departments. They can find effective solutions to break the barriers and ease any fears
that students may have. They can also reach out to disadvantaged students and create programs
that are more appealing to their demographic. The target population is undergraduate college
students interested in study abroad programs in the US. My sample population is undergraduate
college students at Georgia State University that participated in study abroad orientation sessions
or a study abroad information session during class.
https://georgiasouthern.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_ewVC1Cy2GjA13g1

This was my first experience using Qualtrics and my first time creating a survey online. I
have some experience doing surveys on surveymonkey. Qualtrics was user friendly and provided
helpful tools. The software provided users like me, more then one option for creating scales and
listing items. The only issue I had was with choosing ten questions to use in the survey. I had a
list of almost 20 to 30 questions. Qualtrics also provides users ease of access to surveys.

Historical data and overview is always helpful in creating a research study. There are several
publication journals on study abroad and global learning. The journal of studies in International
Education looks at topics from international exchange programs to internationalizing higher
education. US News recently published an article titled Studying Abroad Helps Disadvantaged
Students Break Free. Articles like these assist in understanding what issues students face that
keep them from studying abroad. The institute of international education compiles an annual
census on international students in the US. They also have historical data showing what
percentage of college students actually complete study abroad programs.

The only issue I can foresee with survey participation is the number of information sessions
the study abroad department may hold in a given semester. If the study abroad department holds
20-30 classroom sessions the number of participants could be as high as 500 to 700 students.
Study abroad also holds orientation sessions daily; however participation in orientation sessions
is purely based on students desire to study abroad.

For this specific research study, a paper and pencil survey is more suitable. A study abroad
advisor can ask students to complete the survey once they do their presentation. At orientation
sessions students can participate in a paper session after orientation. Online surveys are easier to
ignore and students are less motivated to complete them. If this research study evolves to include
other institutions an online survey would be more beneficial.

As an advisor my experience is limited to administering surveys not creating them. Students

are requested to complete assessments for their GSU 1010 (orientation courses) and after each
new student orientation session in the summer. As a participant I remember completing a survey
in college for a graduate student that was compiling research on minority students and their
likelihood of participating in extracurricular activities. As a participant my concern was with
unwillingness to complete the survey. Our instructor gave us extra credit points for completing
the survey. An incentive may effect how truthful and honest a student is in completing the
survey.