Why study abroad? A mixed-methods evaluation of the effectiveness of US–Russia academic exchange programs
Abstract
This article focuses on the results of the research project that has been realized within The Stanford US – Russia Forum (SURF), which is a platform for Russian and American university students to work together on some of the most important issues two nations face today. Participants of the working group on Education & Foreign Area Studies sought in their research to explore whether bilateral exchanges do in fact serve as an effective tool for producing area studies knowledge in the situation when both the US and Russia have undergone a sharp decline in skilled expertise. The results of the project provide strong evidence for positive program outcomes, especially regarding language acquisition and cultural competence. However, the participants of the project also find that the reviewed orientation pre-exchange materials often contained non-neutral language that may reinforce pre-existing stereotypes.
About the Authors
E. Akimova
University of Oxford, St. Antony’s College.
United States
Akimova Evelina T. – postgraduate student, Faculty of Sociology.
United States
Akimova Evelina T. – postgraduate student, Faculty of Sociology.
Z. Dzhafarova
National Research University “Higher School of Economics”.
Russian Federation
Dzhafarova Zibeyda I. – graduate student, Institute of Education.
Russian Federation
Dzhafarova Zibeyda I. – graduate student, Institute of Education.
D. Kurkovskiy
National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
Ukraine
Kurkovskiy David L. – Parker Huang fellowship, Yale University; international research student, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
Ukraine
Kurkovskiy David L. – Parker Huang fellowship, Yale University; international research student, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
E. Rodina
School of Communication, Northwestern University.
Russian Federation
Rodina Elena A. – postgraduate student, Media, Technology, and Society Program.
Russian Federation
Rodina Elena A. – postgraduate student, Media, Technology, and Society Program.
K. Schroeder
University of Pennsylvania Law School
Russian Federation
Schroeder Katherine – postgraduate student.
Russian Federation
Schroeder Katherine – postgraduate student.
References
1. The authors would like to express their gratitude to Victoria Zhuravleva and the SURF leadership team for their invaluable help with the paper.
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Review
For citations:
Akimova E., Dzhafarova Z., Kurkovskiy D., Rodina E., Schroeder K. Why study abroad? A mixed-methods evaluation of the effectiveness of US–Russia academic exchange programs. RSUH/RGGU Bulletin Series "Political Science. History. International Relations". 2017;(4/1):47-57.
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