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Keywords

agricultural education, international experiences, international programming, study abroad

Abstract

International programs (IP)continue to grow in importance. There is an increased demand from employers and communities forglobally competent individuals, yetonly 2.3% of Dale Bumpers Collegeof Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences (Bumpers College)students studied abroad in an agriculture-related program during the 2014 and 2015 academic year. This study used descriptive survey methods withUniversityof Arkansasundergraduate students enrolled in Fall 2017 Bumpers Collegecourses (n= 1,758) to determine their perceptions of international experiences. These perceptions included identifying the most influential barriers and benefits to participation. The majority of students were interested in short-term faculty-led programs (n= 1,190, 72.1%), followed by international internships (n= 760, 46%). Studentswanted to participate in an IP during summer I (n= 1,138, 69%), followed by summer II (n= 839, 50.8%). Based on a 5-point Likert-type scale, students reported “cost is too high” (M= 3.83, SD= 1.10) and being “too busy with school” (M= 3.27,SD= 1.18) as the most influential barriers to participating in an IP. Using the same Likert-type scale, students reported an IP being a “life-changing opportunity” (M= 4.49, SD= 1.75)and“sets me apart when applying for grad school/jobs” (M= 4.27, SD= 1.90) as the most influential benefits. The fact that 5.5% of the students surveyed had participated in anIPconfirms that the Bumpers College requires more immersionin order to meet the Universityof Arkansasgoal for 25% international participation by 2020

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