Letting it sink in: The longer-term impact of a social work short-term study abroad course

ABSTRACT

Short-term study abroad courses are increasingly common in higher education, but while brief, can deeply impact students’ cultural appreciation and competence. This qualitative study explored 17 former Master of Social Work students’ experiences one to two years after completing a study abroad course on human trafficking in India. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis and three themes emerged: Considering my Positionality, Personal Transformation, and Taking Action. There were three levels of taking action: some students found ways to use the learning in their professional setting, others found it encouraged them to speak out against injustice, and some actively engaged in some form of advocacy. Mezirow’s theory of transformative learning was used to frame and explore the findings.

KEYWORDS:

• Short-term study abroad
• social work
• long-term impact
• transformative learning theory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Susan Glassburn

Susan L. Glassburn is an Assistant Professor at the IU School of Social work and her research focuses on study abroad, interprofessional education, and gerontology.

Md Hasan Reza

Md Hasan Reza is an Associate Professor at the IU School of Social Work and his research focuses on the experience of street children in developing countries.