Factors influencing learner outcomes in dual-language study abroad programs

2019 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K13279
• Research Institution: Kansai University
• Principal Investigator: RAMONDA Kris 関西大学, 外国語学部, 准教授 (10626427)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: study abroad / global perspectives / personality traits / COVID-19

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

In the first year of this four-year study, a number preliminary steps have been successfully taken. The most important of which has been to select and recruit the participants who take part in the study. To that end, a total of 56 participants were successfully recruited. Furthermore, the key pre-departure data were successfully collected, that is, the Global Perspective Index measures and the Big 5 Personality measures. These data were crucial to collect in advance in order to measure what changes occur during study abroad.

Current Status of Research Progress

4: Progress in research has been delayed.

Reason

Although the initial pre-depature data was successfully collected, because of the COVID-19 epidemic, many of the participants were unable to study abroad this year. This presents a significant problem/delay, because it will not be until the following year that these participants will go overseas for their studies. As this research examines the effects of a one-year study abroad on the measures of interest, this means the second data collection will not occur until spring of 2022. Because this has affected most, but not all of the participants, this also introduces another confounding varaible that will need to be addressed as well.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

In light of the COVID-19 epidemic, a few of the research questions will be adapted to address the unexpected consequences to the study this has caused. First, while the plan to collect GPI data and personality measures post study abroad still remain, the qualitative data collected through scripted interviews will attempt to capture some of the effects COVID-19 has had on students during "study abroad". Those who did go abroad during this time were expecting an immersion experience, but due to the need for online classes and other related quarantine measures in various countries, many students have had experiences far different that what was expected. Given the unique circumstances of COVID-19, this presents an opportunity to better understand how this has impacted the participants.

Causes of Carryover

The expenses for this fiscal year basically fall into three categories: 1) funding to participants for their participation in interviews, 2) funding to pay for the licenses used to measure the constructs of interest (e.g. Global Perspectives Index, statisical software, surveying software), and 3) a computer with the necessary specs to use the software intended to analyze the data gathered.

Note that while many students did not go abroad this year, for the ones that did, it will be important to collect their GPI data upon returning to Japan, which is why a license for the GPI this year will also be necessary.