Asignment:
The advantages of studying abroad far outweigh the disadvantages. Discuss.
Essay Assessment Details:
Articles relating to the topic of the essay will be available on the GL6 Moodle site. You will be able to download these 2 weeks before the assessed in-class written work (WEEK 14). You can NOT bring the articles to the assessment with you, but you may bring your own notes, to be
written on the sheet provided (consisting of 150 words maximum). You MUST GIVE THESE IN WITH YOUR WRITTEN WORK. You will be able to see the original articles while writing.
Please note that your work should be appropriately referenced using APA. Please look at the
referencing policy either in the student handbook, or on the library website. 2
Assessing the Academic Benefit of Study Abroad Teresa Cisneros-Donahue, Kathleen A. Krentler, Bruce Reinig & Karey Sabol
1. Introduction
Participation in study abroad is growing at a rapid pace. The 2011 Open Doors Report shows that overseas study by U.S. students was up in 2010 (the most recent available year) by over 10,000 students compared to the previous year (270,604 versus 260,327) (IIE, 2011). U.S. students studying abroad have more than tripled over the past two decades. The Open Doors report also emphasized that study abroad is now taking place in a wider range of locations and representing a wider range of academic disciplines than in the past. Our university has mirrored these trends. We have experienced substantial and sustained growth in our study abroad program. Study abroad participation has increased nearly 1000 percent over the past twelve years. Even more importantly, the perception of study abroad has changed. It is no longer seen as just an optional add-on experience. The university currently has 37 majors and academic programs that include an international experience as a graduation requirement. These majors are diverse, from Nursing to Liberal Studies (pre-teacher education) to International Business, and reflect the academic value faculty and administrators place on global learning experiences. Study abroad is widely and highly regarded beyond our university and has been identified as a "high impact educational practice" by those who study student success rates in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), a practice that can lead to increased rates of student retention and student engagement (Kuh, 2008).
2. Literature Review
Historically, most of the research questions in the literature on study abroad have been related to the teaching and learning of foreign languages and the cultural learning that coincides with those activities (Brandt & Manley, 2002). It has been uncommon for assessment to focus on cognitive, academic outcomes of international education (Rubin & Sutton, 2004). Even less common have been studies that assess students before and after their study abroad experience. Still rarer are studies that use control groups (Stronkhorst, 2005).
2.1 Before and After Studies
Recently an increasing number of studies have emerged that assess students before and after their study abroad experiences. Emert and Pearson (2007) indicate reported improvement in intercultural competency growth in students who studied abroad and participated actively. In Nagy's (2008) research, participants reported becoming independent and improving their English proficiency. Rexeisen and Al-Khatib (2009) found that study abroad has a positive impact in students' development of cross cultural sensitivity.
2.2 Control Group Studies
Among the minority of studies that have used control groups in assessing study abroad learning outcomes are the ones conducted by Clarke, III, et al., (2009); Kehl and Morris (2007) and Sutton and Rubin (2004). Both Clarke et al. (2009), and Kehl and Morris (2007) administered the GlobalMindedness Scale (Hett, 1993) to a sample and a control group. Clarke et al., also administeredplaces where there are wild marine mammals do not charge an exorbitant entry fee - they are free.Para
3 . Dr Alison Lane, the director of the Cairns Marine Science Institute, contends that we needmarine parks for scientific research (The Age,9.2.93). She argues that much of our knowledge ofmarine mammals comes from studies which were undertaken at marine parks. The knowledge whichis obtained at marine parks, so this argument goes, can be useful for planning for the conservation ofmarine mammal species. However, as Jones (1991, p.74-) explains, park research is only useful forunderstanding captive animals and is not useful for learning about animals in the wild. Dolphin andwhale biology changes in marine park conditions. Their diets are different, they have significantlylower life spans and they are more prone to disease. In addition, marine mammals in dolphin parks aretrained and this means that their patterns of social behaviour are changed. Therefore researchundertaken at marine parks is generally not reliable.
Para 4 . It is the contention of the Marine Park Owners Association that marine parks attract a lot offoreign tourists (The Sun-Herald 12.4.93). This position goes on to assert that these tourists spend alot of money, increasing our foreign exchange earnings and assisting our national balance ofpayments. However, foreign tourists would still come to Australia if the parks were closed down.Indeed, surveys of overseas tourists show that they come here for a variety of other reasons and not tovisit places like Seaworld (The Age, Good Weekend 16.8.93). Tourists come here to see our nativewildlife in its natural environment and not to see it in cages and cement pools. They can see animalsin those conditions in their own countries. Furthermore, we should be promoting our beautiful naturalenvironment to tourists and not the ugly concrete marine park venues.
Para 5. Dolphin parks are unnecessary and cruel. The dolphins and whales in these parks are kept invery small, cramped ponds, whereas in the wild they are used to roaming long distances across theseas. Furthermore, the concrete walls of the pools interfere with the animals' sonar systems ofcommunication. In addition, keeping them in pools is a terrible restriction of the freedom of fellowcreatures who may have very high levels of intelligence and a sophisticated language ability.Moreover, there are many documented cases of marine mammals helping humans who are in dangerat sea or helping fisherman with their work.
Para6.
1. In conclusion, these park should be closed, or at the every least, no new animals should be captured for marine parks in the future
2. Our socity is no longer prepared to tolerate unnecessary cruetly to animal s for sicence and entertainment.
3. If we continue with our past crimes against these creature we will be remembered as cruel and inhuman by the generations of the future.
Bibliography:
Jones, G. (1991). The myths about animals Research in marine Park. In scinctific Australian Vol.12 No.02
Smith H. (1992). Marine Parks: Good for business, Good for Australia. In Leisure Business review.
Vol. 24, No 4
The Age, 19.2.93
The age good weekend, 16.8.93
The Sun-Herald, 12.4.93