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SUMMARY
OF DATA OF REPORTED PROBLEMS SINCE SUMMER 2002:
TRAVEL
INCIDENTS DATA (9-1-2009):
Returned NMSU study abroad students have reported travel
problems in some of the 39 countries in which they
had studied: UNIVERSITY STUDY CONCERNS DATA (9-1-2009): Among 219 NMSU students who have studied in university based study abroad programs (exchanges, direct, faculty led), 51 (23.3%) reported that they had academic concerns while enrolled abroad. Adjusting to integrating and studying in universities abroad ranks as the most common problem reported by NMSU students who study abroad. These events occurred in 16 (59.3%) of the 27 countries in which they had studied at universities. Obviously, countries in which many NMSU students have studied in universities (Australia, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, UK) have the potential to have more reported incidents than those in which fewer students study abroad. The data show that about 1 out of 4 students experience some serious adjustment to studying in university based academic programs abroad. Some NMSU students also study in academic programs taught by U.S. The data show that students may need, while on exchange, to take additional language study before taking courses taught in the local language. Above all they need realistically to evaluate their language skills to make sure they can succeed while studying in the local language. For additional country specific information go to the country Profiles. LANGUAGE STUDY CONCERNS DATA (9-1-2009): Among 691 NMSU students who have studied abroad in language institutes, 47-6.8% experienced what they felt was a serious language adjustment problem. These problems occurred in 11 (61.1%) of the 18 countries in which they had studied. The data show that intensive language programs are very effective in teaching languages and that few students experience serious problems in adjusting to learning in an intensive environment. CULTURAL CONCERNS DATA (9-1-2009): Among 674 NMSU students who have studied abroad, 100-14.8% felt they had experienced serious culture shock or cultural adjustment. The data show that while culture shock theory states that all students may go through some culture shock while abroad, about 1 out of 7 NMSU students experience serious culture shock or cultural adjustment sometime during their stay abroad. Obviously, countries in which many NMSU students have studied (Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain) are going to have more reported incidents than those in which fewer students study abroad. The data show also that cultural adjustment problems can occur in both developed and developing countries and that students have to be aware, but not apprehensive, about their ability to adjust to studying and living abroad. These events occurred in most, but not all of the 39 countries in which they had studied. HEALTH & SAFETY INCIDENT DATA (9-1-2009): Among 951 NMSU students who have studied abroad, 104-10.9% felt they had experienced a serious safety or health incident. These occurred in some, but not all of the 39 countries in which they had studied. For additional country specific information go to the country Profiles.Obviously, countries in which many NMSU students have studied (Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain) are going to have more reported incidents than those in which fewer students study abroad. The data show that safety and health incidents can occur in both developed and developing countries and that students must be vigilant, but not alarmist, about their personal safety when traveling abroad. Illnesses, assaults, accidents, theft of personal property and more can be experienced by any student who studies abroad anywhere in the world. |