International Programs

This thesis explores what effects study abroad literature, specifically promotional websites, have on Oregon State University students when selecting a study abroad program and if the students' choices reflect OSU's International Degree and Education Abroad's (IDEA) goal of global competence for students.

To explore this, two online surveys were made; one for OSU students who have not yet studied abroad (Potential Students) but are interested in doing so, and another of OSU students who have studied abroad in the past five years (Returnees). Both surveys asked the student to review five study abroad program Websites and answer a variety of questions regarding each.

The relationship between the students who have not yet studied abroad and the purpose of the study is to examine how media -study abroad Websites - affect the students' choices of a study abroad program. Prospective Students’ reactions to the Websites will be compared to those of students who have studied abroad to examine if the expectations - set by the study abroad literature – met the expectations of the educational institution’s goal of global competency.

The findings indicate that students’ perspectives of study abroad Websites, vary significantly
Between those who have and have not studies abroad. Potential Students and Returnees responded to the Websites in almost opposite ways. Potential Students reacted to visual elements of the Websites more so than the information provided about the study abroad program when deciding likes and dislikes of a program.
While the material reviewed was exactly the same for both participant populations, the perceived message, the likes and dislikes, and the promotion of global competence was different in each population.