The Impact of Study Abroad Participation on Civic Engagement and Democratic Participation Among Alumni

• In Event: Beyond Borders: Global Learning and Student Achievement

Abstract

Using longitudinal elements of the College and Beyond II (CBII) Alumni Survey, we conducted an inverse propensity of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis to explore the impact of study abroad participation on postgraduation behavior among 2,548 alumni a decade after graduation (2009-2010) at seven U.S. public universities. We find evidence to suggest that study abroad participation is associated with higher levels of community involvement (i.e., civic and democratic engagement). These findings are among the first to longitudinally explore the long-term effects of study abroad participation on postgraduation behavior. Together, these findings indicate that study abroad participation may improve civic engagement and democratic participation among alumni after college. We discuss the impact of these findings for institutions rebuilding study abroad programs post-COVID-19.

Authors

• Radomir Ray Mitic, College of William & Mary

• Roy Y. Chan, Lee University