Motivation, values, & influence : the study abroad dilemma

This study examines the impact of faculty as a motivating factor in the decision to study abroad for business undergraduate students at the University of Nebraska-Kearney (UNK). A phenomenological approach was taken with three particular groups. Interviews were conducted with business students currently participating in the application process for studying abroad programs in order to learn the reason study abroad was pursued and views of the future benefits , business students who decided against participation after initial interest were asked to complete a web survey designed to learn why their minds had been changed after showing initial interest , and business faculty were interviewed in order to discern whether international issues were valued and discussed in the classroom . A number of surprising results surfaced which have changed the manner in which study abroad programs are discussed and advertised. It is hoped that these changes will lead to an increased rate of student participation in study abroad