| Students who participate in a short-term travel experience program of 4 weeks or less develop a sense of global citizenship. High school students who spend time traveling abroad might seek to address global issues, not only from a local perspective, but also from a global perspective. The Troika Study guided this study. Using qualitative phenomenology, the Troika Study explored the experience of college students studying abroad. The present study examined the perceived influence of New Jersey public high school students' experiences with short-term travel abroad prior to college and how those students developed global perspectives, attitudes toward cultural diversity, and preparation for college responsibilities. The guiding research question of the study was, "How do high school students describe the influence of their experiences of short-term travel or a study abroad program?" To assess the influence of short-term travel abroad on student college preparation, global awareness, and cultural sensitivity, participants' responses were coded, categorized into broad themes, and analyzed. Evidence suggests that the perceived influence of short-term travel has an impact on students' understanding of college preparedness, global issues awareness, and cultural sensitivity. Future studies might examine the extent to which high school students who participate in short-term travel abroad pursue international or global careers, as compared to students that do not participate in such experiences. |
