Abstract
ABSTRACT Taking an explanatory mixed-method approach, this research examines how participation in short-term educational travel abroad affects young adults’ personal development. Different from previous research investigating the study abroad trip as one holistic concept, the current research deconstructs study abroad experiences into travel and education components and examines each component’s effect on undergraduate students’ post-trip developmental benefits. Through a quantitative survey-based study and a follow-up qualitative focus-group study, specific travel- and education-related components of study abroad experience are identified as salient factors promoting young travelers’ personal development progress, including participation in group excursions and experiential learning activities, self-management of travel logistics, and engagement in diverse and authentic social/cultural interactions. The research findings provide insights into how learning occurs through travel and highlight short-term study abroad as an impactful special-purpose tourism product. This research contributes to a niche tourism topic regarding travel experience design with the purpose of fostering personal development.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
