1. Presented by : Bobby Edwards, Julia Karnaze,
Laura Riker, Allie Rize, Tera Roeker, Nick Rogers
Villanova Study Abroad
Programs

2. Participation in study abroad programs has more than tripled
over the past two decades
39% of Villanova’s 2011 graduating class had studied abroad
Introduction
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
'07-'08
'08-'09
'09-'10
'10-'11
'11-'12
Fall
Spring
Summer
Total
(Villanova Office of International Studies)

3. Villanova University Study Abroad
Managerial Problem
Why aren’t more Villanova undergraduate
students taking advantage of study abroad
opportunities?
Given how beneficial study abroad programs
are, why doesn’t each graduating class have a
higher number of students who studied abroad?

4. Study 1 Trends
Missed opportunities
Finances
Exchange rate
Work experience
Cultural immersion
New perspective
Friendships
Personal growth
Career development
Major constraints
Knowing travel companions
Language
Homesickness
Resume builder
Higher cost of living
Miss out on leadership positions
Responsibilities on campus
Sports
Parental consent
Missed career opportunities
Communication difficulties
Limited class selection
Safety
Relationships
Complementary coursework
GPA

5. Academic
Personal
Professional
Social
Villanova University Study Abroad
Study 1 Trends

6. Conducted Qualtrics survey
Used the information from our study 1 trends to form
our questions for the survey
Total : 53 respondents
Villanova University Study Abroad
Study 2

7. Breakdown of Respondents
Have you taken advantage of study
abroad opportunities?
Yes: 28 respondents – 53%
No: 25 respondents – 47%
What school are you enrolled in?
VSB: 24 respondents – 45%
Arts and Sciences: 20 respondents – 38%
Engineering: 7 respondents – 13%
Nursing: 2 respondents – 4%

8. Breakdown of Respondents
What academic year are you?
Freshman: 7 respondents – 13%
Sophomore: 9 respondents – 17%
Junior: 28 respondents – 53%
Senior: 9 respondents – 17%
Is language required as part of your major?
Yes: 18 respondents – 34%
No: 35 respondents – 66%

9. Compatibility with major
Foreign language requirement
GPA
Based on the regression analysis, none of these
factors affected respondents’ decision to study
abroad.
Villanova University Study Abroad
Academic Factors

10. Financing
Personal growth
Homesickness
Based on the regression analysis, none of these
factors affected respondents’ decision to study
abroad.
Villanova University Study Abroad
Personal Factors

11. Opportunity to intern/work abroad
Internship and interviewing opportunities at home
Effect on resume
Based on the regression analysis, only internship and
interviewing opportunities at home and effect on
resume affected respondents’ decision to study
abroad.
Villanova University Study Abroad
Professional Factors

12. Relationships / friendships
Sports
On-campus activities
Based on the regression analysis, all of these factors
affected respondents’ decision to study abroad.
Villanova University Study Abroad
Social Factors

13. Personal perception does not equal perception of
others for personal, social, academic, and
professional factors.
Respondents perceive that others place less
importance on these factors than they do
themselves
Villanova University Study Abroad
Perceptions :
Self & Others

14. The only trends that can be traced are the ones
between academic year and if people have studied
abroad
Upperclassmen have studied abroad more than
underclassmen
There was no correlation between study abroad
trends and if language is required and the school
someone is enrolled in
Villanova University Study Abroad
Study Abroad Today

15. Awareness of options and perception of the benefits
of studying abroad are related
Familiarity with study abroad options leads to a
more positive outlook on the benefits of studying
abroad
Villanova University Study Abroad
Knowledge of Options

16. Attitudes of those who have studied abroad and
attitudes of those who have not studied abroad differ
Those who have studied abroad find more benefit
from the opportunity
Villanova University Study Abroad
Attitudes of Participants

17. 46 of our 53 respondents answered “Yes” to the
question “If you could eliminate your most prevalent
constraint, would you study abroad?”
Based on Study 2, professional and social aspects
are the ones most considered when deciding to study
abroad. The Office of International Studies should
take this into consideration in their research.
Villanova University Study Abroad
Without constraints, would you
study abroad?

18. Villanova University Study Abroad
Shortcomings
Lack of diversity within
respondent base
Lack of clarity of sliding scale -
no scaling indicators
Differing results between
people’s overall considerations
and regression of specific
attributes
3 tested attributes perhaps not
the most significant

19. Dive deeper into details regarding the categorical
factors
Explore how program awareness at a younger age
could boost participation
Look into ways to involve study abroad alumni
Include the option for a freshman study abroad
program in a future study
Villanova University Study Abroad
Advice for Office of International
Studies

20. 4 most important factors :
academic, personal, professional, social
5 most important attributes : internship and
interviewing opportunities at home, effect on
resume, relationships/friendships, sports, on-
campus activities
The Office of International Studies should consider
our research, our concerns, and our
recommendations when further planning study
abroad programs
Villanova University Study Abroad
Conclusion

21. Thank you!
Villanova University Study Abroad
Any questions?