I Studied Abroad, therefore I am a Global Citizen? An Initial Study on Relationship between Global Citizenship and International Mobility Experiences

Abstract

In the current era of globalization, higher education is expected not only to educate people to work locally in their home country, but also to foster “global citizens” who can play important roles internationally. In recent years, curriculum design and reform efforts at the higher education level in Taiwan have sought to encourage young people to move out of their comfort zones and connect with people from different cultural and social backgrounds to further expand their international perspectives and intercultural competencies. The main aim of the current research is to explore if students’ international mobility experiences-in this context, studying abroad-would affect their attitudes toward elements of global citizenship and identification as global citizens. This research included an online survey to recruit 69 Taiwanese participants with study abroad experiences at the higher education level to understand their identification as global citizens, their attitudes toward elements of global citizenship, and their interpretations of how studying abroad might affect their perceptions of global citizenship. The results from the regression analysis indicate that participants with international mobility experiences tend to see themselves as global citizens and have stronger agreements toward elements of global citizenship.