Global Jinzai and Short-Term Study Abroad

Abstract

This chapter examines the concepts of global competence, global citizenship, and cosmopolitanism as viable ideological and practical goals for postsecondary students pursuing a short-term study abroad experience. Research has demonstrated that study abroad programs should be at least six weeks in duration to achieve meaningful academic, personal, intercultural development, and career outcomes (Dwyer, 2004; Steinberg, 2002). Given that programs lasting two to four weeks have become popular in recent years, a study was conducted with Japanese students a month prior to the departure of students from Japan to investigate questions related to readiness, cosmopolitan disposition, and expectations of the students regarding their upcoming three-week study abroad experience in Canada. The findings show that there was a mismatch between their expectations and the reality of their readiness in terms of gains in both their English language skills and global competence, which suggests that a more informed and informative approach is required to promote study abroad programs. The chapter argues for a paradigm shift in short-term study abroad programming from an idealized one-size-fits-all event to a customized educational package that promises concrete and attainable learning outcomes.