Should I stay or should I go? Predictors and effects of studying abroad during high school

In an increasingly globalized and culturally diverse world, extended stays abroad during high school are considered important opportunities for acquiring and improving a variety of skills, most importantly, language achievement. This study examines both predictors and effects of studying abroad in a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Learning and instruction Vol. 71; p. 101398
Main Authors: Hübner, Nicolas, Trautwein, Ulrich, Nagengast, Benjamin
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2021
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ISSN:0959-4752, 1873-3263
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:In an increasingly globalized and culturally diverse world, extended stays abroad during high school are considered important opportunities for acquiring and improving a variety of skills, most importantly, language achievement. This study examines both predictors and effects of studying abroad in an English-speaking country during high school, using population data from the second largest city in Germany (N = 5361; 13% went abroad). In order to determine the most central predictors of studying abroad, we employed logistic regression models in which students’ socioeconomic background emerged as the strongest predictor of studying abroad. To test the effects of studying abroad, we applied propensity score matching. Studying abroad had positive effects on standardized achievement, grades, and course choice in English, whereas it had hardly any effects on outcomes in math. Implications for studying abroad during high school and future research directions are discussed. •Students’ SES is a key predictor of studying abroad during high school.•Studying abroad during high school had positive effects on achievement in English.•Barely any effects were found for outcomes in math.
ISSN:0959-4752
1873-3263
DOI:10.1016/j.learninstruc.2020.101398