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International Education in the 21st Century: The Importance of Faculty in Developing Study Abroad Research Opportunities
Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad (2015)
  • Todd Giedt, University of California
  • Gigi Gokcek, Department of Political Science and International Studies, Dominican University of California
  • Jayati Ghosh, Barowsky School of Business, Dominican University of California
Abstract
Study abroad participation rates have more than tripled in the past two decades with nearly 289,408 students participating in 2012-13. The Institute of International Education (IIE) has launched its Generation Study Abroad initiative, with the goal of doubling the current number of American students participating in education abroad to approximately 600,000 by the year 2017-18 (IIE, 2014). Much of this growth is reflected in short-term programs at the expense of the traditional yearlong study abroad. Despite this growth, only recently have the percentage of students studying the sciences, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) reached levels of participation commensurate with such traditional fields of study as the humanities and the social sciences (Farrugia & Bhandari, 2013). Why have study abroad enrollments in the STEM fields been so slow to expand in desired magnitude(s), especially given the explosion of shorter-term programming and associated marketing efforts? The obvious answers are the strict curricula of STEM majors and a lack of integration of study abroad programs with STEM curricula. It is therefore logical to assume that in order to continue increased participation among STEM students, U.S. colleges and universities will need to better integrate study abroad into the STEM majors. 
Keywords
  • study abroad,
  • student research,
  • international education
Publication Date
Fall 2015
Citation Information
Todd Giedt, Gigi Gokcek and Jayati Ghosh. "International Education in the 21st Century: The Importance of Faculty in Developing Study Abroad Research Opportunities" Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad Vol. XXVI (2015) p. 167 - 186 ISSN: 1085-4568
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/gigi-gokcek/3/