2020 Volume 8 Issue 1 Pages 46-57
This article investigates the significance and outcomes of a super short-term overseas program both quantitatively and qualitatively. Under the globalization policy, Ritsumeikan University has sought to expand its short-term overseas programs to make them more accessible and appealing to students. This study examines the outcomes of one such program, the Global Fieldwork Project, which is open to all Ritsumeikan University students. Data are drawn from the 2019 project, in which 165 students participated. GPS-Academic is used as an objective, quantitative index. In addition, a qualitative, semantic analysis is performed using the participants’ written responses to a post-questionnaire survey. The results show students’ positive growth in substantial areas, indicating that the overseas program, despite its short duration, provided the students with meaningful experiences. Since social and cultural competence is relevant to all disciplines, studying abroad may be promoted for all university students. However, since there was a large variation in the students’ responses to certain questionnaire items, the effect of the program could be maximized by an educational intervention designed to encourage growth in less recognized domains. It is also important, from the perspective of program evaluation, to have further verifications of student outcomes.
