Download or read book Study Abroad and National Identity written by Giustina M. Pelosi and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A recent and steady increase in student participation in study-abroad programs has caused international educators and student affairs professionals to reevaluate the current study-abroad paradigm and redesign and implement new curricula better suited to meet the changing needs of international education. Recent emphasis has been placed on understanding outcomes of study-abroad and student development with special attention given to personal growth and identity development outcomes. This study investigated the impact of the study-abroad experience of four American students and their sense of national identity. National identity is explained as an individual's awareness and concept of self as a U.S. American and their relationship to the U.S. American culture and nation. Eight themes were identified in the study and were grouped under three different headings. These headings were: (a) influential study-abroad experiences, (b) American self, and (c) American self and nation. The results of this study have implications for international educators and student affairs professionals interested in developing and implementing programs that further support exploration of self as American both during and after the course of a study-abroad program.