DOES A STUDY ABROAD CLASS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN STUDENT’S GLOBAL AWARENESS? AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

Jia Wang
Ali Peyvandi
California State University, Fresno
Betty S. Coffey
Appalachian State University
ABSTRACT
Educational learning experiences that enhance a business student’s global awareness are
important in today’s dynamic global environment. Based on constructivist experiential learning
theories the authors hypothesized that there would be a significant difference between students’
global awareness scores before and after participation in a short summer study abroad class.
Utilizing a sample of business students enrolled in summer study abroad classes at a regional
university in the United States, the results of this study revealed significant and positive
differences in the students’ global awareness score before and after they completed the study
abroad class.