Assessing engineering students' study abroad experiences

The development of a simple survey instrument was discussed for assessing the value of study abroad experiences for University of Kentucky students. The approach was found to show promise as a method of data collection and quasi-analysis, with the results shared back to college and departmental personnel for their consideration in advising and mentoring students embarking on an international study opportunity. The methodology was suggested to provide a template for evaluation of study abroad programs in multiple academic disciplines. Opportunities were suggested to exist to use such an assessment tool in validation studies using any number of qualitative approaches.