Short-Term Field Study Programs: A Holistic and Experiential Approach to Learning

ABSTRACT

For business schools, AACSB and Middle States’ call for more experiential learning is one reason to provide study abroad programs. Universities must attend to the demand for continuous improvement and employ metrics to benchmark and evaluate their relative standing among peer institutions. One such benchmark is the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE, 2013) which outlines 10 “Engagement Indicators” classified under four dimensions representing broad aspects of the student experience. These dimensions and engagement indicators are addressed in this article and may serve as a litmus test of the value and impact of study abroad programs.

KEYWORDS:

• National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)
• International field study
• Marketing

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mary M. Long

Mary M. Long, PhD, is Chair and Professor of Marketing at Pace University, Lubin School of Business, New York City. She received her PhD in Business from the City University of New York. Her research interests include consumer behavior and services marketing. She has published in various marketing journals including Journal of Business Research, Psychology & Marketing, and Journal of Consumer Marketing. Dr. Long has presented competitive papers at nationally and internationally recognized conferences sponsored by the Association of Consumer Research, the Academy of Marketing Science, and EIRASS (European Institute of Retailing and Services Studies).

Dennis M. Sandler

Dennis M. Sandler, PhD, is Professor of Marketing at Pace University, Lubin School of Business, New York City. He received his PhD in Business from New York University. His research interests include advertising, consumer behavior, sport marketing and sponsorship, and international marketing. He has published in various journals—including Journal of Advertising Research, International Journal of Advertising, Sport Marketing Quarterly, Journal of Promotion Management, and International Marketing Review. He is also faculty advisor to the American Marketing Association Collegiate Chapter at Pace University.

Martin T. Topol

Martin T. Topol, PhD, is Professor of Marketing at Pace University, Lubin School of Business, New York City. He received his PhD in Business from the City University of New York. His research interests include retailing, marketing management, direct marketing, customer relationship management, and services marketing. He has published in various marketing journals including International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Journal of Retailing, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Journal of Psychology and Marketing, The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, Psychology & Marketing, and Marketing Education Review. Dr. Topol has presented competitive papers at nationally and internationally recognized conferences sponsored by the American Collegiate Retailing Association, the Academy of Marketing Science, and EIRASS (European Institute of Retailing and Services Studies).