Project Director

Silver, Christopher F.

Department Examiner

Hood, Ralph

Department

Dept. of Psychology

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to discuss and evaluate the experience of studying abroad for college students as a participant observer as well as their perceptions of the experience. In Spring 2018, as a part of my studies and as an observational ethnography, I participated in the study abroad program through AIFS at Veritas University. In the study, I will provide my own transformative experience of studying abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica, as well as perspectives of other students who have studied abroad in different locations throughout Costa Rica, and an advisor with experience of assisting study abroad students. Four separate interviews were conducted in all with three students and one advisor. Throughout the interviews the common themes were addressed: the competitive culture of U.S. compared with “Pura Vida” concept, a difference of teaching styles abroad versus the U.S., and host families. The study seeks to connect the taxonomy of Benjamin Bloom of educational higher learning to the study abroad experience and concept of global learning and exposure. An ethnographic study was conducted to provide evidence for an individual’s progression through Bloom’s taxonomy, resulting in higher learning and evaluation of their culture. From the research, one can establish an acceleration of learning and accomplishment through connections to Bloom’s taxonomy when considering a study abroad experience.

IRB Number

18-114

Degree

B. S.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science.

Date

12-2018

Subject

Foreign study; American students -- Foreign countries

Keyword

Study abroad; Taxonomy; Global learning; Ethnographic

Discipline

Psychology

Document Type

Theses

Extent

41 leaves

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

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Psychology Commons

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