Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Agricultural & Extension Education

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine Louisiana State University (LSU) undergraduate College of Agriculture (COA) students’ intention to participate in study abroad. This study aimed to add to the body of research that utilizes Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior as a theoretical framework by exploring COA undergraduate students’ intention to participate in study abroad. This study sought to determine if relationships existed among students’ prior intercultural experiences, perceived motivating factors related to study abroad, perceived barriers to study abroad, outcome expectations, attitude toward study abroad, and students’ intention to participate. Additionally, the study utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to predict student intention to participate in study abroad. Going to an international restaurant was the most frequently reported intercultural experience of study participants, similar to the findings of Cater et al. (2016) and Bunch et al. (2013). Ultimately, motivation was the greatest indicator of intention to participate in study abroad. No relationship was found between PIE and any of the other factors examined. Undergraduate LSU COA students’ motivations, barriers, outcome expectations, attitude, or intention to participate in study abroad are not related to their intercultural experiences. Intention to participate in study abroad programs showed a statistically significant difference among students by academic classification. A statistically significant difference existed between the means of freshmen and seniors and between the means of sophomores and seniors. The best structural equation model utilized attitude, outcome expectation, motivation and intention in a partial mediation model.

Date

1-23-2018

Committee Chair

Blackburn, Joey

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.4193

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Available for download on Tuesday, January 21, 2025

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