Embargo Period

7-31-2024

Degree Name

MA in International Education

First Advisor

Melissa Whatley

Abstract

This mixed methods research study explores the impacts of studying abroad for Japanese individuals and examines how these experiences shape their professional development in the mid-term. This research also investigates whether there are any discernible generational differences in these impacts between older millennials and younger millennials. Data collection consists of a survey with seventeen participants and in-depth interviews with four participants. The findings suggest that participants reported that studying abroad had a transformative impact on both older millennials and younger millennials through the development of skills, including cross-cultural communication, cultural competence, global understanding, and language, and had a relatively positive impact on participants' professional development in the mid-term. However, some of the skills and knowledge gained through study abroad do not always align with the skills and knowledge used in participants' professional work, such as problem-solving and leadership. These findings also demonstrate that younger millennials have had greater opportunities for international exposure and are less risk-averse and more individualistic, whereas older millennials tend to be less individualistic and value long-term orientation when making decisions regarding their professional development. This research provides valuable insights for international educators to narrow the discrepancies between skills and knowledge gained abroad and used in the workplace. These efforts will have meaningful impacts on participants’ professional development in the mid-term. Consequently, these efforts align with the Japanese government’s internationalization strategies and support Japanese company's efforts to hire globally-minded individuals.

Keywords: cultural capital, human capital, generational theory, internationalization, Japan, professional development, study abroad

Disciplines

International and Comparative Education

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