The effect of study abroad on career self-efficacy and selected attitudinal questions of American undergraduate students

Study abroad programs are formal educational courses provided by colleges and universities during which the student receives academic credits while studying in another country. There is a need for further research regarding the effects of study abroad in relation to career development. This study examined near-term effects of a semester study abroad program on career self-efficacy, and attitudes regarding career plans, self-confidence, and international travel. The study group consisted of 369 undergraduate students enrolled in study abroad at The Pennsylvania State University during 2007 and 2008, who completed an initial career self-efficacy questionnaire, which was the Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (CDSE-SF). Changes in questionnaire responses were assessed in 83 and 141 students who were surveyed both before and after an on-campus and study abroad semester, respectively. Statistical comparisons were based on rank scores of outcome variables. Career self-efficacy measures in the initial survey were in general agreement with those reported in two other university studies and did not differ notably by gender, class level, major, or previous personal travel experience. However, a strong sense of conviction that study abroad was essential to career development was found to predict significantly higher scores on overall career self-efficacy and several subscales. The major study finding was that highly significant improvements in feelings of self-confidence and ability and in enthusiasm for international travel occurred during the study abroad semester. Another study finding was that no change in overall career self-efficacy was observed in relation to the study abroad experience, although marginally higher career self-efficacy scores were observed on the occupational information, planning, and problem solving subscales. Career self-efficacy is a construct that may not have application in measuring the impacts of study abroad on career development. The findings of this study in regard to enhanced feelings of self-confidence and ability and enthusiasm for international travel could be useful to administrators in their efforts to promote study abroad and to students in deciding whether or not to participate in such programs