Discussions

Your Name and Title:

Michael O. Johnston, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Sociology

School or Organization Name:

William Penn University

Area of the World from Which You Will Present:

Oskaloosa, Iowa (USA)

Language in Which You Will Present:

English

Target Audience(s):

Educators, Students, Administration

Short Session Description (one line):

My presentation will discuss the experience of international and study abroad students at the collegiate level. The focus of this presentation will be on how cultural context influences the obstacles encountered by international and study abroad students. The importance of this presentation is for education professionals to better understand how to assess and deal with the obstacles faced by their international and study abroad students.   

Full Session Description (as long as you would like):

Since the 1940s, there has been tremendous growth in the number of internationally mobile students in the United States (U.S.) and other host countries. There are currently 273,996 students from the United States who are studying abroad and 886,052 international students studying in countries around the globe (Institute of International Education, 2015). An international student is defined as "anyone studying in the U.S on a non-immigrant, temporary visa that allows for academic coursework [degree and non-degree seeking students]” (Institute of International Education, 2015).  Further, “the term study abroad refers to a U.S. national studying abroad outside of the U.S. for any part of their academic coursework” (Institute of International Education, 2015).

This presentation is intended to address the importance of understanding the obstacles encountered by students who are studying internationally and abroad. Special attention will be given to cultural context and whether the environment is more conducive to cultural assimilation or multiculturalism.