Adjust or crumble while studying abroad

Abstract

This study provides greater understanding of the student characteristics and practices that affect the success of a study abroad experience as evidenced by students’ adjustment. Two personal characteristics of students, grit and cultural intelligence (CQ), and one learning behavior, reflective thinking, were investigated. The study was conducted among undergraduate students from the United States participating in study abroad semester programs with 309 matched/completed surveys returned. Results show that grit, entailing consistency of interest and perseverance of effort, has a positive effect on student adjustment when abroad. Also, three of the four dimensions of CQ (metacognitive, cognitive, and motivational) positively influenced study abroad; however, behavioral CQ did not have a significant effect. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that reflection and critical reflection have a positive impact on students’ adjustment when abroad. These results can inform the design of study abroad orientation programs to better facilitate cultural adjustment.