Early Childhood Pre-Professionals’ Experience in a Study Abroad Program to Finland: Evaluation of Professional Growth, and Personal and Cultural Gains

Abstract

The present study explores the experiences of fifteen Early Childhood pre-professionals on a University lead short-term study abroad program to Finland. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of the 10-day-long experience on students’ attitudes and perceptions particularly on their professional growth, personal, and cultural gains. Daily reflective journals entries and questionnaires were used to capture insights of the phenomena. Data were collected prior to, during, and after the program. This phenomenological study also employed audio taped interviews to provide summaries of their experiences in Finland. Horizontalization was used and three emerging themes were explained. Conclusions and recommendations are provided for future studies.

Keywords

• study abroad
• pre-professionals
• early childhood education