ISANA

Michael A. Tarrant and Laura Sessions

Abstract:  Most institutions of higher education in the U.S. acknowledge that the future workforce of America depends on a
citizenry that is sensitive to, and aware of, global issues. The broad assumption in academia is that studying
abroad promotes such a worldview, yet there is a lack of theoretical applications supporting this assertion. We
propose a conceptual framework (based on the value-belief-norm models of behavior) for exploring the
transformational impact of educational-travel study abroad programs on pro-environmental behaviors and
global citizenship. The experiential programs, modelled on an approach developed at the University of Georgia
(see http://pacific.uga.edu) and now offered by several other institutions (through a consortium-based
approach), collectively provide study abroad opportunities for ~700 students a year, and aim to foster a respect
and humility for the peoples and environments of the world: Building an understanding and awareness of the
interaction of cultural diversity (including indigenous perspectives) and environmental conservation.

Keywords:  Global citizenship, study abroad, educational travel, South Pacific

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