A Comparative Analysis of Community College Education Abroad Learning Outcomes

• In Event: Measuring Student Attainment

Abstract

It is crucial for community college international educators to communicate the value of education abroad (EA), particularly as these institutions navigate international education after the COVID-19 pandemic. Research on EA learning outcomes has focused on four-year institutions and does not readily transfer to community colleges. This qualitative study explores learning outcomes of community college alumni who studied abroad to add complexity to an otherwise myopic subject. By comparing data collected from blogs and interviews with EA alumni, the study seeks to answer questions regarding what and how students learn abroad. Results indicate that cognitive learning outcomes, such as cultural learning, were most significant to participants. Behavioral and affective learning were also identified as important learning outcomes for community college alumni.

Author

• Heidi Fischer, Old Dominion University