Short-Term Study Abroad for Pre-service Teachers: Personal and Professional Growth in Brighton, England

• Main Author: Erin Mikulec
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Georgia Southern University 2019-01-01
• Series: International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
• Subjects: teacher education; study abroad; culturally responsive teaching; experiential learning; short-term; faculty-led
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/ij-sotl/vol13/iss1/11

This study examines the personal and professional development of 34 pre-service teachers who participated in a study abroad program for education majors in Brighton, England. The participants completed a variety of assignments and learning activities before, during, and after the program, including 20 hours of observation in area schools. The results indicate that in terms of personal development, the pre-service teachers experienced increased levels of self-confidence, autonomy, tolerance for ambiguity, flexibility and adaptability, and interpersonal skills. Professionally, the participants identified the role of culture in education and pedagogy, described being better equipped to work with diverse learners in the United States, and developed instructional strategies to use in their future classrooms.