Presentation Schedule
Beyond the Barrier: Strategies to Empower Study Abroad Participation (101889)
Session Chair: Joanie Crandall
This presentation will be live-streamed via Zoom (Online Access)
Wednesday, 7 January 2026 17:10
Session: Session 3 (Parallel)
Room: Live-Stream Room 2
Presentation Type: Live-Stream Presentation
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This study builds on Nakagawa’s (2024) exploratory work by conducting an exploratory factor analysis to investigate key factors contributing to hesitation among 150 Japanese university students regarding study abroad participation during the 2023–2024 academic year. Participants, drawn from institutions in the Kanto and Chubu regions, completed a structured questionnaire exploring psychological, logistical, and socio-cultural barriers. The analysis revealed three dominant hesitation clusters: (1) Perceived Foreign Risk and Inconvenience (39.03% variance), (2) Information and Process Understanding Barriers (7.38%), and (3) Personal and Familial Concerns (5.40%). The sharp increase in fear-based responses from the previous year highlights the growing impact of global uncertainty and media portrayal on students’ perceptions. To complement the quantitative findings, follow-up interviews were conducted with 15 students who had recently completed short-term study abroad experiences. All participants took part in pre-departure training sessions including goal setting, intercultural scenario simulations, and logistical preparation. These interviews revealed significant emotional and cognitive shifts: students reported increased confidence, openness to intercultural engagement, and clearer academic and career goals. In this presentation, we highlight recent study abroad trends derived from factor analysis, share insights into students’ perceptual changes before and after studying abroad, and propose actionable strategies to improve program design and delivery. The findings provide practical guidance for TESOL professionals, program coordinators, and policymakers seeking to enhance both the accessibility and educational effectiveness of international education in Japan and beyond.
Authors:
Hiroshi Nakagawa, Kindai University, Japan
About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Hiroshi Nakagawa is currently an English instructor at Faculty of Informatics / Cyber Informatics Research Institute, Kindai University, Japan
See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule
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