An Ethnographic Autobiography of a Short-Term Study Abroad Experience

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explore the unique contributions the study abroad experience can make to the knowledge and skills acquired while studying parks, recreation, and tourism management. These unique contributions are analyzed through an ethnographic autobiography of the author's personal engagement as a graduate student in a summer study abroad course to Kenya. Data consist of the author's personal travel journal, which was recorded throughout the course. Open and axial coding reveal three concepts that captured the extent to which the study abroad experience led to acquired knowledge that otherwise had not been gained through classroom-based learning: culture, connections between park management and social well-being, and community-based conservation efforts in action. Analysis also revealed one concept, analytical and inquisitive problem solving, which encapsulated the distinctive learning processes facilitated through participation in the course. Also, the unique value the study abroad experience offers for parks, recreation, and tourism department programs is explored.