1. Student Perceptions of Study Abroad at the University of Florida
Caroline Cully and Jessica Childers
University of Florida International Center (UFIC)

2. About Us Caroline Cully Jessica Childers SAS Assistant Director
Advises for Belgium, Netherlands, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Global E3
Studied abroad in Russia and Israel
Lead study abroad programs in Italy and Greece.
Jessica Childers
Evaluation Specialist for UFIC’s Office for Global Research Engagement
Master’s student in Research and Evaluation Methodology
SA alumni (UF in Utrecht, 2006)
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Republic of Georgia, )

3. What we will cover Overview of Study Abroad at UF
Introduction to the Study Abroad Student Survey (SASS)
How we developed the SASS
Results from the survey
What we’re doing with the results

4. Study Abroad at UF Number of students: ~2,300/year
Most of our students participate in:
Summer programs (1,496)
Faculty-led programs
In Western Europe

5. Purpose of Survey
To understand students’ perceptions of and experiences with study abroad (SA) at UF
To develop strategies that
guide the development of new SA initiatives,
increase student engagement in study abroad, and
foster a culture of support at an institutional level for student engagement in SA

6. Development of survey items
Reviewed existing surveys and research literature
Discussion with SAS Director and Assistant Director to determine the focus of the survey questions
Drafted questions reviewed and critiqued by:
the Study Abroad Evaluation Advisory group (which includes evaluation and content experts) and
the Study Abroad Services (SAS) unit (including Advisors and representatives from the Fiscal unit that work with the SAS unit)

7. Testing the survey
Beta-test with Study Abroad Peer Advisors (SAPAs), a UF student organization of former study abroad participants, who were asked to
Take the survey
a friend who has not studied abroad to take the survey
Send their feedback on the survey’s clarity, difficulty to answer questions, and missing questions.
Reviewed beta-test responses to ensure that the response options were utilized in the manner intended
The students’ feedback suggested minor adjustments to the survey, which were made.

8. Distributing the survey
Sent to the entire UF student body
Open from November 2014 to February 2015
Via:
weekly student newsletter (all undergraduate and graduate students)
department and college listservs
Area Studies Centers’ listservs
study abroad student organization listservs

9. Details about the final survey
Reflects the needs, terminology, and local situation of UFIC’s SAS.
Contained 29 items total
Seven open-ended questions
Two forced-response items related to students’ experience studying abroad and their academic college affiliation
Sorted respondents into two groups:
students who have participated in SA and
students who have not
Respondents who have participated in SA were asked questions related to their study abroad experience.

10. Total of 575 complete responses
Results
Total of 575 complete responses
Respondent profile
Responses received from all colleges that offer undergraduate degrees
Liberal Arts & Sciences: 18%
Business: 16%
Journalism and Communications: 11%
Remaining colleges: less than 10% each
Year of study
Freshman: 22%
Sophomore: 20%
Junior: 33%
Senior: 25%
Sex: 80% female
Racial and Ethnic background:
White: 55%
Hispanic/Latino: 15%
Asian: 7%
Black or African American: 6%
Have you studied abroad?
Yes – 21%
No – 79%

11. About students who studied abroad
Survey Respondents
@ UF overall
Type of program
UF-faculty led programs: 67%
Non-UF programs: 21%
UF-Exchange programs: 15%
Internship, service learning, or independent research: 8%
Number of times
One program: 87%
Two programs: 8%
3-5 programs: 3%
Length of program
Less than two weeks: 7%
2-3 weeks: 12%
4-7 weeks: 47%
8-15 weeks: 14%
More than 15 weeks: 26%
Type of program
UF-faculty led programs: 70%
Non-UF programs: 15%
UF-Exchange programs: 11%
Internship, service learning, or independent research: 1%

12. How students hear about SA

13. Reasons students participated in SA

14. Interest in Study Abroad
Students who have studied abroad
Students who have not studied abroad
Considering SA again?
Yes: 84%
Maybe: 9%
No: 8%
Intend to SA while at UF?
Yes: 44%
Unsure: 34%
No: 21%

15. Why students have not studied abroad

16. Factors that influenced students’ decisions to study abroad
Encouraged to SA
Neither Encouraged nor Discouraged from SA
Discouraged from SA
Personal interest in travel
100% 0%
The opportunity to learn about a new culture or a language
95% 5%
Contribution to future career
84%
15% 1%
Family influence
64%
33% 3%
Structure of study abroad program
62% 8% 4%
Structure of my academic program and degree at UF
61%
27%
12%
Previous interaction with students from different background/country
53%
45%
Level of support from my major/track
35%
Impact of study abroad on my graduation date
36%
56% 7%
Connection to another country (i.e., relatives or previous travel)
66%
Availability of financial aid
47%
19%
Program cost
32%
31%
37%
Personal health and safety considerations
70%
Availability of SA scholarship
24%
55%
21%

17. Factors that influenced students’ decisions to not study abroad
Encouraged to SA
Neither Encouraged nor Discouraged from SA
Discouraged from SA
Program cost 4%
22%
74%
Structure of my academic program and degree at UF
29%
41%
Impact of study abroad on my graduation date 9%
52%
39%
Availability of SA scholarship
23%
37%
Availability of financial aid
24%
38%
Level of support from my major/track
40%
32%
Family influence
46%
16%
Structure of study abroad program
42%
44%
14%
Personal health and safety considerations
10%
77%
13%
Contribution to future career
62%
33% 5%
Connection to another country (i.e., relatives or previous travel)
59%
Previous interaction with students from different background/country
53%
45% 2%
The opportunity to learn about a new culture or a language
85%
Personal interest in travel
91% 0%

18. Who encourages students to study abroad?
SA students
Non-SA students
Faculty members/course instructors
Your undergraduate coordinator
Your academic advisor
51%
35%
33%
21%
17% 7%
10%
13%
24% 8%
Faculty members/course instructors
Your undergraduate coordinator
Your academic advisor
26%
15%
27%
18%
20%
40% 3%
11% 7%
Response options
A Lot
Some
Little
None
N/A

19. Students’ suggestions for encouraging others to study abroad
Market study abroad to all majors
Provide scholarship/financial info
Have SA alumni share their experience
Particularly, reach out to freshman
Talk about programs in classes

20. Now What:
How do we take this information and use it in effectively in our office?
Identify a small number of target areas to address student needs:
Cost
Information on options
Degree plan

21. Information on options
Key Areas
Cost
Information on options
Degree plan

22. How do you help your students understand costs for study abroad?
Discussion Question:
How do you help your students understand costs for study abroad?

23. Cost:
Students think: Study Abroad costs way too much money. I can’t afford it.

24. Cost:

25. Cost: What are we doing? Funding Fair Gilman Scholarship Info Sessions
Scholarship advising
Financial Aid Advisor

26. Information: Already occurring: Information Sessions (weekly)
Class talks
Table at events
Peer advising with SAPAs
Study Abroad Fairs
Advising

27. Information: How we are expanding:
Identifying key groups on campus to address: Hispanic Student Alliance, Fraternities, Black Engineers of America
Identifying study abroad alumni from specific groups to present (students learn from students).

28. Need to emphasis Program Content not location in advising
Degree Plan:
Current Advising:
Region/Country-based Specific
UF Faculty led programs described by location
Need to emphasis Program Content not location in advising

29. Degree Plan: Major-based Advising: Advising based on College/Major
Major-specific info sessions within the colleges and departments
Major-specific marketing materials

30. Outreach to Colleges and Departments
To create a culture of support for student participation in study abroad:
Create partnerships between SAS and academic advisors/undergraduate coordinators
Create new and strengthen existing partnerships between SAS and Faculty

31. Discussion Question:
What types of outreach activities does your Study Abroad Office conduct with departments and colleges to get their support for student participation in study abroad?

32. Key Takeaways
Involve Study Abroad unit in survey development – they are the content experts!
Let the needs of the Study Abroad unit drive the survey and evaluation efforts.
Don’t be afraid of the results – use them to improve!
Decisions for how to use the results determined by the Study Abroad unit – they know their audience and what they can feasibly do to address the audience’s needs.

33. Questions?

34. Thank you!
Contact info Caroline cully and Jessica Childers University of Florida International Center and Website: