1. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE: USING PRE-EXISTING NORMS TO
OVERCOME CURRICULAR AND CULTURAL BARRIERS TO
STUDY ABROAD FOR BUSINESS STUDENTS
Bill Burress, Karleigh Koster, Mark Kurt

2. Introductions
2
 Presenters
 Bill Burress, Associate Director of Study Abroad, Elon University
 Dr. Karleigh Koster, Assistant Director for International Programs, Indiana University Kelley
School of Business
 Dr. Mark Kurt, Associate Professor of Economics, Elon University

3. 3

4. 4

5. 5

6. Rationale & Goals
6
 Why did we propose this session?
 We have certain perceptions of student behavior; do our perceptions match student
behavior?
 How can we use existing behavioral patterns to encourage better outcomes?
 Session Goals
 Exchange perspectives on distinct needs and challenges of business students
 Examine related behavioral patterns to see how needs and challenges translate to
participation
 Collaborate to propose paths forward

7. 7

8. Literature Review
8
Paper Takeaway
Sánchez, Fornerino, and Zhang (2006) US students more likely to study abroad for pleasure
than any other reason; students w/ less supportive
families more likely to study abroad to learn a skill
Toncar, Reid, and Anderson (2006) Business students more likely to insist on receiving
credit, believe SA will enhance career prospects, &
view working abroad as more valuable than classes
Hackney, Boggs, and Borozan (2012) Examined factors that influence willingness to study
abroad – prior experience is diff. b/w short & long
Li, Olson, and Frieze (2013) Desire to study abroad is positively correlated w/ high
neophilia, helping motivation (women) & achievement
motivation (men)
Pope, Sánchez, Lehnert (2014) Students in professional degree programs may study
abroad for reasons that eliminate gender differences

9. Research Project
9
 Comparative between two very different institutions
 Graduating seniors in Elon LSB and IU KSB
 Survey designed to illuminate:
 Program selection habits of students who studied abroad
 Barriers faced by students who didn’t study abroad
 Demographic variables
 Goal: create broad-based profiles of the types of students that pursue various opportunities in
order to help ensure that program offerings and student needs are aligned

10. Survey Background
 Administered through Qualtrics
 Multi-institution
 Indiana University- Kelley School of Business (large public)
 Elon University- LSB (medium private)
 Population: graduating senior business students
 Question Types:
 Demographics
 Factors for Study Abroad
 Factors Against Study Abroad

11. Questions
11
 Demographics:
- Origin, ethnicity, gender identity
- Institution, GPA(truncated), major(s) business or non-business
- Times studies abroad, program characteristics
 Factors:
 For and against studying abroad (See Handout)
 5-point Likert Scale
 Important for me- Indifferent - Important for me to avoid

12. RESULTS

13. Summary Statistics
13
Sample Size
Number of STA Experiences
Gender
Ethnicity
Residency
GPA
Major
Program Type

14. 14
Table Q10: Number of Study Abroad Experiences
# of STA All Elon IU
0 32.7% 14.8% 41.2%
1 46.2% 53.6% 42.7%
2 16.2% 23.5% 12.7%
3 3.5% 7.1% 1.8%
4 1.4% 1.1% 1.6%
N 569 183 386

15. 15
Table Q10: Duration
Duration All Elon IU
Short Term 45.3% 46.5% 44.4%
Long Term 54.7% 53.5% 55.6%
N 349 142 207

16. 16
Table Q21: Residency
Residency All Elon IU
Out of State 78.8% 91.8% 72.3%
In-State 21.2% 8.2% 27.7%
N 569 183 386

17. 17
Table Q16: Gender Identity
Gender All Elon IU
Male 50.4% 49.7% 50.8%
Female 49.0% 48.6% 49.2%
Prefer No Reponse 0.5% 1.6% 0.0%
N 569 183 386

18. 18
Table Q8: Ethnicity
Ethnicity All Elon IU
African American 1.4% 2.2% 1.0%
Asian 8.3% 1.6% 11.4%
Hispanic/Latino 1.1% 0.6% 1.3%
Caucasian 86.1% 90.2% 84.2%
Two or more 0.5% 5.5% 1.0%
Other 0.2% 0.0% 0.8%
No Response 2.5% 0.0% 0.3%
N 569 183 386

19. 19
Table Q20: GPA
GPA All Elon IU
3.5 or better 50.3% 47.0% 51.8%
3.0-3.49 43.2% 43.7% 43.0%
2.5-2.99 5.6% 7.1% 4.9%
2.0-2.49 0.9% 2.2% 0.3%
Total 569 183 386

20. 20
Table Q22: Primary Major
Primary Major ALL Elon IU
ACC 16.2% 13.2% 17.6%
FIN 31.0% 34.1% 29.5%
ECO 6.0% 6.0% 6.0%
MKT 28.2% 22.5% 30.8%
MGT 5.5% 10.4% 3.1%
IB 3.9% 11.0% 0.5%
ENT 2.8% 2.8% 2.9%
Other 6.5% 0.0% 9.6%
N 568 182 386

21. WHY NOT STUDY ABROAD?

22. 22
Table Q28 Factors For Not STA- All
Factors 1 2 3 4 5 1+2 4+5
Factor 1 4.68% 17.54% 9.94% 24.56% 43.27% 22.22% 67.84%
Factor 2 23.98% 30.99% 6.43% 18.13% 20.47% 54.97% 38.60%
Factor 3 1.75% 3.51% 11.70% 30.41% 52.63% 5.26% 83.04%
Factor 4 8.77% 14.04% 19.88% 16.96% 40.35% 22.81% 57.31%
Factor 5 15.79% 33.33% 19.88% 19.30% 11.70% 49.12% 30.99%
Factor 6 2.92% 10.53% 8.77% 23.98% 53.80% 13.45% 77.78%
Factor 7 2.92% 11.70% 12.87% 27.49% 45.03% 14.62% 72.51%
Factor 8 2.34% 10.53% 13.45% 32.16% 41.52% 12.87% 73.68%
Factor 9 2.92% 20.47% 11.70% 19.88% 45.03% 23.39% 64.91%
Factor 10 1.17% 4.68% 10.53% 32.16% 51.46% 5.85% 83.63%
Factor 11 7.60% 18.13% 15.20% 30.41% 28.65% 25.73% 59.06%
Factor 12 7.60% 19.30% 19.30% 26.90% 26.90% 26.90% 53.80%
Factor 13 2.92% 18.71% 14.04% 30.99% 33.33% 21.64% 64.33%
Factor 14 12.28% 22.22% 14.04% 18.13% 33.33% 34.50% 51.46%
Factor 15 11.11% 19.30% 20.47% 22.81% 26.32% 30.41% 49.12%
Factor 16 0.58% 5.26% 19.88% 35.09% 39.18% 5.85% 74.27%
Factor 17 1.75% 5.85% 16.96% 28.07% 47.37% 7.60% 75.44%
Factor 18 20.47% 31.58% 16.96% 15.79% 15.20% 52.05% 30.99%
Factor 19 4.68% 8.77% 23.39% 33.33% 29.82% 13.45% 63.16%
Factor 20 6.43% 12.28% 10.53% 16.37% 54.39% 18.71% 70.76%
30% Threshold 1+2
75% Threshold 4+5

23. Factors for Not Studying Abroad
23
 Important Factors
 I didn’t think my family could afford it (High)
 Enjoyed my home campus and didn’t want to leave (High)
 Thought a different type of experience would be more valuable (High)
 Didn’t plan until too late
 Couldn’t get classes that helped me graduate on time
 Unimportant Factors
 Wasn’t interested in the locations
 Didn’t know anyone else studying abroad
 Didn’t think it was safe
 Couldn’t decide on a program

24. 24
Table Q28 Difference in Factors For Not STA- Elon - IU
Factors 1 2 3 4 5 1+2 4+5
Factor 1 -0.2% 5.9% 4.2% -12.5% 2.5% 5.80% -10.04%
Factor 2 -6.7% -4.3% -7.4% 10.5% 7.8% -10.92% 18.30%
Factor 3 -2.0% 6.4% -8.2% 17.3% -13.5% 4.39% 3.81%
Factor 4 -4.9% 10.0% -12.4% 1.4% 5.9% 5.13% 7.26%
Factor 5 -2.5% -12.2% 18.9% 9.2% -13.4% -14.64% -4.27%
Factor 6 -3.4% 3.6% 5.6% -6.7% 0.9% 0.21% -5.80%
Factor 7 1.9% 2.2% 0.9% -10.7% 5.7% 4.09% -4.97%
Factor 8 -2.7% 8.8% -5.0% -0.4% -0.7% 6.10% -1.10%
Factor 9 -3.4% -2.6% 7.4% 8.5% -9.9% -5.98% -1.46%
Factor 10 3.9% -5.4% 3.6% 15.3% -17.3% -1.49% -2.07%
Factor 11 -3.5% -10.4% 8.6% 1.6% 3.6% -13.88% 5.25%
Factor 12 1.7% -11.7% 19.6% -4.8% -4.8% -10.01% -9.58%
Factor 13 -3.4% 4.6% -0.5% -4.3% 3.5% 1.25% -0.79%
Factor 14 1.6% 21.4% -5.7% 0.1% -17.4% 23.00% -17.33%
Factor 15 8.1% 3.9% 7.8% -0.1% -19.8% 12.05% -19.86%
Factor 16 -0.7% -6.0% 8.5% 17.1% -18.9% -6.71% -1.77%
Factor 17 -2.0% 8.9% 17.1% 4.3% -28.3% 6.92% -23.98%
Factor 18 2.6% -4.9% 6.6% 8.0% -12.2% -2.35% -4.27%
Factor 19 -0.2% 0.4% 4.5% 13.9% -18.6% 0.21% -4.67%
Factor 20 3.1% -3.7% 8.8% -8.4% 0.2% -0.61% -8.18%
14.5% Threshold 1+2
14.5% Threshold 4+5
Note: Negative value means that IU participants found this more important

25. Different Factors by Institution
25
 Important Factors
 Enjoyed my home campus and didn’t want to leave (IU)
 Didn’t plan until too late (Elon)
 Unimportant Factors
 I didn’t think my family could afford it (Elon)
 Didn’t plan until too late (IU)
 Couldn’t get classes that helped me graduate on time (IU)
 Couldn’t decide on a program (IU)

26. WHY STUDY ABROAD?

27. 27
Table Q31A Overall Factors for Study Abroad Program
Factor For STA 1 2 3 4 5 1 + 2 4+5
Factor 1 50.8% 29.8% 17.1% 0.8% 1.4% 80.7% 2.21%
Factor 2 29.6% 32.6% 32.9% 1.9% 3.0% 62.2% 4.97%
Factor 3 39.0% 36.5% 20.2% 3.3% 1.1% 75.4% 4.42%
Factor 4 48.9% 33.7% 13.0% 2.8% 1.7% 82.6% 4.42%
Factor 5 40.1% 31.2% 25.1% 2.5% 1.1% 71.3% 3.59%
Factor 6 14.4% 16.3% 41.2% 17.1% 11.0% 30.7% 28.18%
Factor 7 15.2% 29.0% 31.2% 15.2% 9.4% 44.2% 24.59%
Factor 8 48.6% 32.6% 14.6% 2.2% 1.9% 81.2% 4.14%
Factor 9 23.2% 35.1% 32.9% 6.6% 2.2% 58.3% 8.84%
Factor 10 12.4% 19.6% 45.6% 17.7% 4.7% 32.0% 22.38%
Factor 11 12.2% 32.6% 40.6% 9.4% 5.2% 44.8% 14.64%
Factor 12 22.1% 43.1% 29.6% 4.4% 0.8% 65.2% 5.25%
Factor 13 23.8% 34.8% 34.8% 4.4% 2.2% 58.6% 6.63%
Factor 14 6.1% 14.9% 50.6% 14.6% 13.8% 21.0% 28.45%
Factor 15 17.7% 13.8% 42.3% 16.6% 9.7% 31.5% 26.24%
Factor 16 8.8% 22.1% 39.8% 17.1% 12.2% 30.9% 29.28%
Factor 17 14.1% 32.9% 40.6% 6.9% 5.5% 47.0% 12.43%
Factor 18 11.9% 28.2% 45.0% 7.7% 7.2% 40.1% 14.92%
Factor 19 4.7% 19.1% 50.8% 16.3% 9.1% 23.8% 25.41%
70% Threshold 1+2
25% Threshold 4+5

28. Factors for Studying Abroad
28
 Important Factors
 Courses allow degree progress
 Desire to visit this location
 Program calendar worked well
 Desire to study business
 Desire to travel as much as possible
 Avoidance Factors
 Gain language proficiency
 Travel with faculty member from home institution
 Others from same social organization on same program
 Do internship abroad

29. 29
Table Q31F Difference Factors for Study Abroad Program between Elon- IU
Factor For STA 1 2 3 4 5 1 + 2 4+5
Factor 1 -10.52% -7.69% 17.43% 0.86% -0.08% -18.21% 0.78%
Factor 2 -4.94% -6.71% 7.62% 3.53% 0.50% -11.65% 4.03%
Factor 3 5.21% -6.48% 0.86% 0.03% 0.39% -1.28% 0.42%
Factor 4 -14.05% 3.92% 8.57% -0.16% 1.72% -10.13% 1.56%
Factor 5 -10.34% -20.29% 28.79% 2.58% -0.75% -30.63% 1.84%
Factor 6 0.52% 0.63% 11.68% -6.48% -6.35% 1.14% -12.82%
Factor 7 -7.73% -8.55% 15.00% -0.90% 2.18% -16.28% 1.28%
Factor 8 -7.89% 3.53% 2.32% 0.78% 1.25% -4.35% 2.03%
Factor 9 -8.89% -6.40% 16.72% -2.21% 0.78% -15.29% -1.43%
Factor 10 -6.43% 0.66% 9.82% -6.28% 2.23% -5.77% -4.06%
Factor 11 -2.54% -4.43% 3.52% -0.10% 3.56% -6.97% 3.46%
Factor 12 -9.28% -12.11% 16.69% 3.84% 0.86% -21.39% 4.70%
Factor 13 -6.42% -8.21% 12.28% 2.70% -0.36% -14.62% 2.34%
Factor 14 1.01% 1.85% 4.75% -4.51% -3.09% 2.86% -7.60%
Factor 15 0.55% -1.96% 12.07% -6.67% -3.99% -1.41% -10.66%
Factor 16 1.98% -8.14% 14.04% -8.75% 0.87% -6.16% -7.88%
Factor 17 2.13% -4.91% 6.93% -1.55% -2.60% -2.78% -4.15%
Factor 18 -3.21% -5.99% 15.32% -5.24% -0.88% -9.20% -6.12%
Factor 19 1.09% -2.95% 4.28% -0.51% -1.91% -1.86% -2.42%
14.5% Thershold 1+2
10% Threshold 4+5
Note: Negative value means that IU Participants found this factor more important

30. Difference in Factors by Institution
30
 Important Factors (IU)
 Courses allow degree progress
 Desire to study business
 English-speaking location
 Program would look good on my resumé
 Others from same social org on same program
 Location relevant to career
 Avoidance Factors (IU)
 Gain language proficiency
 Internship

31. 31
Table Q31G Difference Factors for Study Abroad Program between Short - Long Term
Factor For STA* 1 2 3 4 5 1 + 2 4+5
Factor 1 -20.45% 5.80% 14.85% 0.74% -0.94% -14.65% -0.20%
Factor 2 -10.39% 5.08% 5.08% -0.83% 1.07% -5.32% 0.24%
Factor 3 -5.70% 9.73% -1.32% -2.92% 0.22% 4.03% -2.70%
Factor 4 6.46% 4.03% -9.57% -0.09% -0.83% 10.49% -0.91%
Factor 5 -10.96% -7.97% 19.43% 0.44% -0.94% -18.93% -0.50%
Factor 6 -13.35% -5.67% 20.59% -4.92% 3.34% -19.01% -1.58%
Factor 7 -6.82% -0.31% 22.62% -5.78% -9.71% -7.14% -15.48%
Factor 8 -20.66% 6.01% 10.94% 5.06% -1.35% -14.65% 3.71%
Factor 9 3.22% 4.47% -2.39% -4.58% -0.72% 7.68% -5.30%
Factor 10 7.56% 6.14% -5.76% -7.65% -0.28% 13.70% -7.93%
Factor 11 -1.70% -1.97% 2.61% 2.91% -1.85% -3.67% 1.05%
Factor 12 0.80% 9.58% -10.61% 0.13% 0.11% 10.37% 0.24%
Factor 13 3.33% -4.37% 0.36% 0.24% 0.44% -1.04% 0.68%
Factor 14 10.45% 13.77% -0.68% -15.77% -7.78% 24.23% -23.55%
Factor 15 -4.29% -5.47% 17.56% -6.08% -1.72% -9.76% -7.80%
Factor 16 1.12% -5.51% 9.23% -5.45% 0.62% -4.39% -4.83%
Factor 17 -8.42% -20.89% 25.11% 1.95% 2.25% -29.31% 4.20%
Factor 18 -1.28% -19.97% 13.79% 5.52% 1.95% -21.26% 7.47%
Factor 19 1.51% -10.79% 7.31% -3.77% 5.74% -9.28% 1.97%
14.5% Thershold 1+2
10% Thershold 4+5
Note: Negative value means that Long Term Participants found this factor more important

32. Different Factors by Duration
32
 Important Factors (long-term except noted)
 Courses allow degree progress
 Desire to study business
 Gain language proficiency
 Desire to travel as much as possible
 Travel with faculty member from home institution (short-term)
 Friends/fellow org members abroad at same time on different programs
 Avoidance Factors (long-term)
 English-speaking location
 Travel with faculty member from home institution

33. STUDENT PROFILES

34. Student Profiles
34
Short-term Long-term
Tourers Location-driven; influenced by
word of mouth
Look for courses, location, travel
opportunities; influenced by word
of mouth, resumé & price
Risk-averse Peers + faculty member
participation very important;
influenced by word of mouth
Peers + faculty member
participation, travel opps very
important; influenced by word of
mouth; less concerned w/ degree
progress & resumé
Pragmatists Interested in internship
opportunities; price-sensitive
Internship opportunities & price
important; less concerned w/
friends, calendar, traveling

35. Student Profiles
35
 Interesting notes:
 Foreign language proficiency is not consistently seen by any student profile as important
 Studying in emerging markets is positively correlated with resumé building and wanting to
study abroad with a faculty member, but isn’t consistently seen by any student profile as
important

36. Population & Limitations
36
 Survey skewed to those who did study abroad (68% of respondents)
 Survey is based on retrospective, self-reported data
 How well can respondents capture the factors around a decision they made a year or more
ago?
 How well can respondents answer why they made a decision not to do something?

37. 37

38. COLLABORATION

39. 39