Learning Outcomes of an International Program in Cuba that Offers Undergraduates Opportunities in Authentic Research in Environmental Policy

2018

Short-term study abroad experiences are the most common type of undergraduate study abroad programs in the United States. Despite their prevalence, very few pedagogical frameworks exist that assist faculty in developing and implementing such educational programs. Moreover, and to the best of our knowledge, little empirical research exists on students’ learning outcomes following their participation in a short-term study abroad experience with an integrated, authentic research praxis. To address these potential gaps in the literature, two pedagogical frameworks were used to structure an international embedded program in Cuba which allowed students to engage in authentic research experiences …