ABSTRACT

This exploratory qualitative study examines the impact of a short-term study abroad trip for U.S. social work doctoral students built around an international conference in Zagreb, Croatia. The program incorporated reflection and experiential learning. Data were collected using pretrip and posttrip written reflections from study participants (N=4). Two primary themes emerged from thematic analysis that showed a positive impact on participants: an enhanced understanding of themselves as global citizens and an enhanced sense of themselves as global professionals. Three themes also emerged supporting the pedagogic strategy: experiential learning promoted global engagement, reflection catalyzed robust learning, and the impact of the experience was greater than the sum of its parts. Directions for further research on short-term study abroad programs are discussed as well as strategies for enhancing short-term study abroad to promote global engagement in social work at the master’s and doctoral levels.

摘要

这项探索性的定性研究考察了围绕克罗地亚萨格勒布举行的国际会议而进行的美国社会工作博士生的短期出国留学旅行的影响。该计划结合了反思和体验式学习。使用研究参与者的旅行前和旅行后书面反思收集数据（N=4）。主题分析中出现了两个对参与者产生积极影响的主要主题：增强了对自己作为全球公民的理解，以及增强了对自己作为全球专业人士的认识。支持教学策略的三个主题也出现了：体验式学习促进了全球参与，反思催化了稳健的学习，体验的影响大于其部分的总和。讨论了短期留学项目的进一步研究方向，以及加强短期留学的战略，以促进全球硕士和博士水平的社会工作参与。