Business Programs in Study Abroad: a Reconsideration

In acknowledgement of the importance of fostering a global perspective in their students, business educators stress the role that international study can play in increasing interpersonal skills and also broadening knowledge of global business practices. Traditionally offered as semester- or year- long programs, today’s study abroad programs are more often short-term in nature, raising questions about student outcomes of abbreviated study tours. This longitudinal study of students who participated over a nine-year period examines the benefits and limitations of short-term study tours. Results suggest that schools of business may want to think again about desired student outcomes and learning objectives and whether these can be accomplished in a compressed time frame