Academic Development: The Impact of Education Abroad on Students as Learners

Abstract

This chapter examines students' academic development resulting from participation in education abroad. Academic development is defined as the ways students p1-ogress as learners, including their academic focus, commitment to their studies, clarification of their academic and eventually career goals based on their abilities, confidence in their learning approaches, and with respect for the dii,ersity of other learners. The chapter raises t:wo central questions, with implications for practitioners: (1) To what extent is academic development recognized as a goal or an outcome of education abroad? (2) Is there evidence that academic development occurs du.ring education abroad? Evidence of academic development has been observed by international educators, and an emerging body of scholarship has attempted to define and measure these gains. The authors conclude that while evidence of academic development exists, it may be implied through a variety of measures of student learning and success.