JALT2025 - Tokyo

Perception vs. Reality: Examining Adolescent Students' Expectations about Study Abroad

1 Nov 2025, 11:00

30m

National Olympics Memorial Youth Center / 国立オリンピック記念青少年総合センター

Research-oriented Presentation (30-minutes) Teacher and Professional Development Room 407

Speaker

Morgen Livingston (Ritsumeikan University, Biwako Kusatsu Campus)

Description

This presentation will showcase a study about adolescent students’ pre-departure concerns and anticipated challenges in a short-term study abroad program against actual experiences. Through analyzing data segments for trends and comparisons, findings reveal that while language and classwork were key anticipated concerns, peer interactions and daily tasks emerged as unexpected challenges. After discussing these findings, this presentation will conclude with some recommendations for how to better prepare adolescent students to study abroad.

Summary

This presentation will showcase a study about adolescent students’ pre-departure concerns and anticipated challenges in a short-term study abroad program against actual experiences. Through analyzing data segments for trends and comparisons, findings reveal that while language and classwork were key anticipated concerns, peer interactions and daily tasks emerged as unexpected challenges. After discussing these findings, this presentation will conclude with some recommendations for how to better prepare adolescent students to study abroad.