IMMERSION AND NEW MEDIA:਍ഀ A STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF NEW MEDIA USAGE ON THE EXPERIENCE OF STUDY ABROAD PARTICIPANTS

Adriane Stoner (University of Illinois)

Over the past few decades studying abroad has turned from an exceptional experience to common element of U.S. undergraduate education. The existing literature on study਍ഀ abroad has documented both the substantial expansion of study abroad programs across the world and the numerous positive outcomes experienced by study abroad participants, but the literature has yet to thoroughly explore the possible effects of emerging media technologies on the study abroad experience. Such emerging media technologies, commonly referred to as “new media,” include the internet, as well as਍ഀ cellular and satellite capabilities. Access to the internet and other forms of new media mean that study abroad participants, through physically removed from their native਍ഀ culture, may continue to play an active role in their native culture and home communities.