Study Abroad in a (Post-) Pandemic World: Our New Normal and Some Reasons for Optimism

We report on a survey study of a group of U.S. students studying abroad in 22 different countries in the fall of 2021 and spring of 2022 (N = 261), as universities around the world began returning to in-person instruction but where a good deal of instruction was still conducted online or in some hybrid modality and where a range of COVID-19 restrictions were still in place. The anonymous online survey asked the students to estimate their concerns about the pandemic and study abroad prior to departure, gauge the level of COVID-19 restrictions in their study-abroad location, and then report on the impact of the pandemic on their learning, academic performance, and social interactions while abroad. Additionally, for those who were abroad for the purpose of improving or learning a language other than English, the survey had respondents share their perceptions of how the pandemic impacted their language learning. The survey also asked the students to elaborate on strategies or resources used to cope with the (negative) effects of the pandemic. The quantitative results show that pandemic-related restrictions were significantly associated with students’ learning overall, language learning, academic performance, and social interactions, and that the students reported the greatest impact on social interactions compared with other aspects of the study-abroad experience. The data also suggest that the greater the percentage of instruction the students had in online or hybrid modalities, the greater the impact on their learning overall. The qualitative data triangulated with the quantitative data to show that the respondents reporting greater COVID-19 restrictions and a higher percentage of online or hybrid instruction experienced greater stress, anxiety, and difficulties with learning, socializing, and engaging with the culture abroad. Language learners in online classes reported feeling less motivated and having difficulties focusing; those who were in in-person classes reported comprehension and communication difficulties due to mask rules. That said, some respondents reported reaping benefits from more online and hybrid instruction. And many of the respondents shared strategies that mitigated their difficulties which give reason for optimism about ongoing pandemic-related restrictions and the increasing ubiquity of online and hybrid instructions during study abroad. We then sketch the contours of what appears to be the new normal in study abroad and some implications for study-abroad programs and educators indicated by these findings. Limitations of the study and directions for further research are presented