Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Why do All the Study Abroad Students Look Alike? Applying an Integrated Student Choice Model to Explore Differences in the Factors that Influence White and Minority Students’ Intent to Study Abroad

  • Published:
Research in Higher Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Despite substantial efforts across postsecondary education to increase minority participation in study abroad, the homogeneity of study abroad participants remains largely unchanged (Dessoff in Int Educ 15(2):20–27, 2006; Shih in http://diverseeducation.com/article/13193/study-abroad-participation-up-except-among-minority-students.html, 2009). This study applies an adaptation of an integrated student choice model (Perna in Higher education: Handbook of theory and research, 2006; Salisbury et al. in Research in Higher Education 50:119–143, 2009) to identify differences between white and minority (African-American, Hispanic, and Asian-American) students across measures of human, financial, social, and cultural capital previously shown to influence aspirations to study abroad (Salisbury et al.). Analysis of data from 6,828 students at 53 institutions participating in the Wabash National Study on Liberal Arts Education suggests numerous differences between racial groups with considerable implications for institutions, scholars, and policymakers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Advancing America’s Priorities Act. (2008). S. 3297, 110th Congress, 2nd Session.

  • Ancis, J. R., Sedlacek, W. E., & Mohr, J. J. (2000). Student perceptions of campus cultural climate by race. Journal of Counseling and Development, 78(2), 180–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, D. (Ed.). (2005). Underrepresentation in education abroad. Professional Networks Newsletter. NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Retrieved, from http://www.nfasa.org.

  • Aronson, J. M. (2002). Stereotype threat: Contending and coping with unnerving expectations. In J. M. Aronson (Ed.), Improving academic achievement: Impact of psychological factors on education (pp. 289–296). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, G. S. (1993). Human capital: A theoretical and empirical analysis with a special reference to education. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger, J. B. (2000). Optimizing capital, social reproduction, and undergraduate persistence. In J. Braxton (Ed.), Reworking the student departure puzzle (pp. 95–124). Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press.

  • Black, H. T., & Duhon, D. L. (2006). Assessing the impact of business study abroad programs on cultural awareness and personal development. Journal of Education for Business, 81(3), 140–144. doi:10.3200/JOEB.81.3.140-144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourdieu, P. (1986). The forms of capital. In J. G. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of theory and research for the sociology of education (pp. 241–258). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourdieu, P., & Passerson, J. C. (1977). Reproduction in education society, and culture. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bray, G., Pascarella, E. T., & Pierson, C. (2004). Postsecondary education and some dimensions of literacy development: An exploration of longitudinal evidence. Reading Research Quarterly, 39, 306–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, J. S. (1990). Study abroad: The experience of American undergraduates. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, H. (1991). Minority access to international education. In J. Booth (Ed.), Black students and overseas programs: Broadening the base of participation (pp. 9–20). Papers and speeches presented at the 43rd CIEE international conference on education exchange. New York: Council on International Education Exchange.

  • Chickering, A. W., & Gamson, Z. (1987). Seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education. AAHE Bulletin, 39(7), 3–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chickering, A. W., & Gamson, Z. (1991). Applying the seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, J. S. (1988). Social capital in the creation of human capital. American Journal of Sociology, 94, 95–120. doi:10.1086/228943.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). (1988). Educating for global competence. The report of the Advisory Council for International Educational Exchange. Retrieved, from http://www.ciee.org/home/research-publications/.

  • Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). (1991). Black students and overseas programs: Broadening the base of participation. Papers and speeches presented at the CIEE 43rd international conference on educational exchange, Charleston, SC, November 7–9, 1990. ERIC Doc. 340 323.

  • Dessoff, A. (2006). Who’s not going abroad? International Educator, 15(2), 20–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, C., & Jones-Rikkers, C. G. (2001). Study abroad programs and American student worldmindedness: An empirical analysis. Journal of Teaching in International Business, 13(1), 55–66. doi:10.1300/J066v13n01_04.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Engberg, M. E., & Wolniak, G. C. (2009). Navigating disparate pathways to college: Examining the conditional effects of race on enrollment decisions. Teachers College Record, 111(9), 2255–2279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foreign Relations Authorization Act. (2009). H.R. 2410, 111th Congress, 1st Session.

  • Freed, B. F. (1995). Second language acquisition in a study abroad context. Philadelphia, PA: Benjamins Publishing Company.

  • Friedman, T. L. (2005). The world is flat: A brief history of the twenty-first century. New York: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gammonley, D., Rotabi, K. S., & Gamble, D. N. (2007). Enhancing global understanding with study abroad: Ethically grounded approaches to international learning. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 27(3–4), 115–135. doi:10.1300/J067v27n03_08.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, S. B., & Kim, R. I. (2006). Predictors of US college students’ participation in study abroad program: A longitudinal study. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 30, 507–521. doi:10.1016/j.ijintrel.2005.10.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gonyea, R. M. (2008). The impact of study abroad on senior year engagement. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the association for the study of higher education, November 6–8, 2008, Jacksonville, FL.

  • Green, M. F., Luu, D., & Burris, B. (2008). Mapping internationalization on U.S. campuses: 2008 edition. Washington, DC: American Council on Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper, S. R., & Quaye, S. J. (Eds.). (2009). Student engagement in higher education: Theoretical perspectives and practical approaches for diverse populations. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henbroff, L., & Rusz, D. L. (1993). Minorities and overseas studies programs: Correlates of differential participation. Occasional papers on International Educational Exchange, No. 30. New York: Council on International Educational Exchange

  • Higher Education Research Institute [HERI]. (2010). Cooperative Institutional Research Survey (CIRP), Freshman Survey. Retrieved, from http://www.heri.ucla.edu/cirpoverview.php.

  • Hossler, D., Schmit, J., & Vesper, N. (1999). Going to college: How social, economic and educational factors influence the decisions students make. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.

  • Institute of International Education [IIE]. (2009). Open doors report 2009. Retrieved, from http://opendoors.iienetwork.org/.

  • Kasravi, J. (2009). Factors influencing the decision to study abroad for students of color: Moving beyond the barriers (Ph.D., University of Minnesota-Twin Cities).

  • Kuh, G. (2001). The National Survey of Student Engagement: Conceptual framework and overview of psychometric properties. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langley, C. S., & Breese, J. R. (2005). Interacting sojourners: A study of students studying abroad. The Social Science Journal, 42, 313–321. doi:10.1016/j.soscij.2005.03.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewin, R. (Ed.). (2009a). The handbook of practice and research in study abroad: Higher education and the quest for global citizenship. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewin, R. (2009b). Transforming the study abroad experience into a collective priority. Peer Review, 11(4), 8–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lincoln Commission. (2005). Global competence and national needs: One million Americans studying abroad. Final report. Washington DC: Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Fellowship Program.

  • Long, J. S. (1997). Regression models for categorical and limited dependent variables. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magnan, S. S., & Back, M. (2007). Social interaction and linguistic gain during study abroad. Foreign Language Annals, 40, 43–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Massey, D. S., Charles, C. Z., Lundy, G. F., & Fischer, M. J. (2003). The source of the river: The social origins of freshmen at America’s selective colleges and universities. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

  • McDonough, P. (1997). Choosing colleges: How social class and schools structure opportunity. Albany, NY: SUNY Press.

  • McKeown, J. S. (2009). The first time effect: The impact of study abroad on college student intellectual development. Albany, NY: SUNY Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLellan, C. E. (2007). A lesson plan to improve minority study abroad participation. Diverse Issues in Higher Education, 24(19), 31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milstein, T. (2005). Transformation abroad: Sojourning and the perceived enhancement of self-efficacy. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 29, 217–238. doi:10.1016/j.ijintrel.2005.05.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NAFSA: Association of International Educators. (2003). Securing America’s future: Global education for a global age. Report of the Strategic Task Force on Education Abroad, Washington DC.

  • NAFSA: Association of International Educators. (2008). Strengthening study abroad: Recommendations for effective institutional management. Report of the Task Force on Institutional management of Study Abroad.

  • National Center for Education Statistics. (2001). Table 207. Total fall enrollment in degree-granting institutions, by type and control of institution and race/ethnicity of students, 1976 through 1999. U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved, from http://nces.ed.gov.

  • National Center for Education Statistics. (2010). Table 226. Total fall enrollment in degree-granting institutions, by race/ethnicity, sex, attendance status, and level of student: Selected years, 1976 through 2007. U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved, from http://nces.ed.gov.

  • Nora, A. (2004). The role of habitus and cultural capital in choosing a college, transitioning from high school to higher education, and persisting in college among minority and nonminority students. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 3(2), 180–208. doi:10.1177/1538192704263189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pascarella, E. T., et al. (2007). Methodological report for the Wabash national study of liberal arts education. Retrieved, from http://www.education.uiowa.edu/crue/publications/index.htm#WNSLA.

  • Pascarella, E. T., Edison, M., Nora, A., Hagedorn, L., & Terenzini, P. T. (1996). Influences on students’ openness to diversity and challenge in the first year of college. Journal of Higher Education, 67, 174–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pascarella, E. T., & Terenzini, P. T. (1991). How college affects students. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pascarella, E. T., & Terenzini, P. T. (2005). How college affects students: Vol. 2. A third decade of research. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paulsen, M. B. (1990). College choice: Understanding student enrollment behavior. ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report No. 6. Washington, DC: George Washington University, School of Education and Human Development.

  • Paulsen, M. B. (2001). The economics of human capital and investment in higher education. In M. B. Paulsen & J. C. Smart (Eds.), The finance of higher education: Theory, research, policy, & practice (pp. 55–94). New York: Agathon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paulsen, M. B., & St. John, E. P. (2002). Social class and college costs: Examining the financial nexus between college choice and persistence. The Journal of Higher Education, 73(2), 189–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paulsen, M. B., & Toutkoushian, R. K. (2008). Economic models and policy analysis in higher education: A diagrammatic exposition. In J. C. Smart (Ed.), Higher education: Handbook of theory and research (Vol. XXIII, pp. 1–48). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perna, L. W. (2000). Differences in the decision to enroll in college among African-American, Hispanics, and Whites. Journal of Higher Education, 71, 117–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perna, L. W. (2006). Studying college access and choice: A proposed conceptual model. In J. C. Smart (Ed.), Higher education: Handbook of theory and research (Vol. XXI, pp. 99–157). New York: Springer Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perna, L. W., & Titus, M. A. (2005). The relationship between parental involvement as social capital and college enrollment: An examination of racial/ethnic group differences. Journal of Higher Education, 76, 485–518.

    Google Scholar 

  • Portes, A. (1998). Social capital: Its origins and applications in contemporary sociology. Annual Review of Sociology, 24, 1–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Posey, J. T., Jr. (2003). Study abroad: Educational and employment outcomes of participants versus non participants (Ph.D., The Florida State University).

  • Rankin, S. R., & Reason, R. D. (2005). Differing perceptions: How students of color and white students perceive campus climate for underrepresented groups. Journal of College Student Development, 46, 43–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbaum, J. E. (1986). Institutional career structures and the social construction of ability. In J. G. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of theory and research for the sociology of education (pp. 139–171). New York, NY: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saenz, V. B., Ngai, H. N., & Hurtado, S. (2007). Factors influencing positive interactions across race for African American, Asian American, Latino, and white college students. Research in Higher Education, 48, 1–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salisbury, M. H., Paulsen, M. B., & Pascarella, E. T. (2010). To see the world or stay at home: Applying an integrated student choice model to explore the gender gap in the intent to study abroad. Research in Higher Education. doi:10.1007/s11162-010-9171-6.

  • Salisbury, M. H., Umbach, P. D., Paulsen, M. B., & Pascarella, E. T. (2009). Going global: Understanding the choice process of the intent to study abroad. Research in Higher Education, 50, 119–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savicki, V. (Ed.). (2008). Developing intercultural competence and transformation: Theory, research, and application in international education. Sterling, VA: Stylus.

  • Seifert, T. A., Goodman, K. M., Lindsay, N., Jorgensen, J. D., Wolniak, G. C., Pascarella, E. T., et al. (2008). The effects of liberal arts experiences on liberal arts outcomes. Research in Higher Education, 49, 107–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shih, K. (2009). Study abroad participation up, except among minority students. Diverse Education, November 16. Retrieved, from http://diverseeducation.com/article/13193/study-abroad-participation-up-except-among-minority-students.html.

  • Smith, J. L. (2004). Understanding the process of stereotype threat: A review of mediational variables and new performance goal directions. Educational Psychology Review, 16(3), 177–206. doi:10.1023/B:EDPR.0000034020.20317.89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • St. John, E. P., Asker, E. H., & Hu, S. (2001). The role of finances in student choice: A review of theory and research. In M. B. Paulsen & J. C. Smart (Eds.), The finance of higher education: Theory, research, policy, & practice (pp. 419–438). New York: Agathon Press.

  • St. John, E. P., Paulsen, M. B., & Carter, D. F. (2005). Diversity, college costs, and postsecondary opportunity: An examination of the financial nexus between college choice and persistence for African Americans and whites. Journal of higher education, 76, 545–569.

  • Steele, C. M. (1997). A threat in the air: How stereotypes shape intellectual identity and performance. American Psychologist, 52(6), 613–629.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steele, C. M. (1999). Thin ice: Stereotype threat and black college students. Atlantic Monthly, Volume 284, Issue 2. Retrieved, from http://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/issues/99aug/9908stereotype.htm.

  • Teranishi, R., & Briscoe, K. (2006). Social capital and the racial stratification of college opportunity. In J. C. Smart (Ed.), Higher education: Handbook of theory and research (Vol. XXI, pp. 591–614). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Treverton, G. F., & Bikson, T. K. (2003). New challenges for international leadership: Positioning the United States for the 21st century. Rand Corporation Issue Paper. Retrieved, from http://www.rand.org/pubs/issue_papers/IP233/.

  • Van Der Meid, J. S. (2003). Asian Americans: Factors influencing the decision to study abroad. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 9, 71–110.

  • Washington, D. D. (1998). African-American undergraduate students’ perceptions of and attitudes toward study abroad programs (Ph.D., George Mason University).

  • Watson, L. W., Terrell, M. C., Wright, D. J., & Associates Sterling. (2002). How minority students experience college: The implications for planning and policy. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing, LLC.

  • Wells, R. (2008). Social and cultural capital, race and ethnicity, and college student retention. Journal of College Student Retention, 10(2), 103–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, T. R. (2005). Exploring the impact of study abroad on students’ intercultural communication skills: Adaptability and sensitivity. Journal of Studies in International Education, 9, 356–371. doi:10.1177/1028315305277681.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

This research was supported by a generous grant from the Center of Inquiry in the Liberal Arts at Wabash College to the Center for Research on Undergraduate Education at The University of Iowa.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Policy and Leadership Studies, The University of Iowa, 491 Lindquist Center North, Iowa City, IA, 52242-1529, USA

    Mark H. Salisbury

  2. The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA

    Michael B. Paulsen & Ernest T. Pascarella

Authors
  1. Mark H. Salisbury
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michael B. Paulsen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ernest T. Pascarella
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark H. Salisbury.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Salisbury, M.H., Paulsen, M.B. & Pascarella, E.T. Why do All the Study Abroad Students Look Alike? Applying an Integrated Student Choice Model to Explore Differences in the Factors that Influence White and Minority Students’ Intent to Study Abroad. Res High Educ 52, 123–150 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-010-9191-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-010-9191-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation