Meaningful short-term study abroad experiences: the role of destination in international educational tourism

Short-term study abroad (STSA) programs are one of the most dynamic segments of international educational travel and tourism. Our study utilizes experiential learning theory (ELT) to investigate and compare the scope and depth of students’ encounters during STSA tours across four different global travel destinations (the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Vietnam, and the United States of America). Through an analysis of the learning journals of 116 undergraduate students who participated in these international study tours, we identify the types of experiences that students engage in during their STSA programs. Then we investigate which experiences are perceived to be more meaningful and to facilitate student learning. Last, we analyze these experiences across four different global destinations to explore how meaningfulness may vary. The study provides important implications for travel providers concerning the choice of travel destination and for higher education institutions that design and develop international educational tourism opportunities.