| dc.description.abstract | As globalization occurs, educators have become increasingly aware of the importance of students gaining a global education, and as a result academic study abroad programs have grown in popularity at universities across the country. Nevertheless, while most college-bound students indicate a strong desire to study abroad, a very small percentage do. Grounded in the theory of planned behavior and both building on and addressing gaps in extant research, my thesis examined differences in beliefs among students have not and will not, and have not but intend to participate in a study abroad program. My research hypothesized that future job prospects, fun, family expectations, peer expectations, and administrative support are positively related to behavior, while risk aversion, homesickness, and timing are negatively related to behavior. Results indicated that perceptions related to job prospects, family expectations, homesickness, and timing were significant predictors of students' intent versus their behavior regarding the decision to study abroad. This research contributes to the study abroad literature by testing two new constructs, homesickness and fun, and by studying the drivers of both intent and actual behavior for the first time. It also assists universities in effectively marketing study abroad programs to undergraduate students to increase the likelihood of performed behavior. | |
