Qualitative and Quantitative Gains from Short-Term Study Abroad

Abstract

Participation in short-term study abroad has increased dramatically in the United States, overshadowing the traditional semester or academic year abroad programming of decades past.  While maligned and shunned by many language instructors and study abroad providers, a growing body of research is emerging in defense of short-term programs.  The present study examines quantitative gains in cultural fluency, looking to determine the best timing for assessing gains upon return to the home country.  Those results in turn will inform future short-term study abroad planning.