The Parable of the Raft: The Uniqueness of Study Abroad Relationships
Category: Community Engagement Poster
Author(s): London Weiss-Darne
Presenter(s): London Weiss-Darne
Mentors(s): Stephanie Moreira
Approximately 1,600 CSU students study abroad each year (CSU Education Abroad), but the opportunity to reflect on the significance of the relationships created during these experiences may be limited. The aim of this study is to better understand why relationships and connections students make while abroad seem richer, deeper, and more vulnerable, often in an accelerated fashion. Using a constructivist mixed methods approach, three participants shared how they made meaning out of their study abroad experience. Participants expressed their answer to the research question in a creative format of their choosing. Findings suggest a strong relationship between cultivating deep relationships while abroad, as well developing a profound understanding of self. These findings suggest that being abroad provides a unique environment for deeper relationships and connections. Universities, students, and special programs can leverage this knowledge to create more opportunities for meaningful relationships.