There are several barriers that students with disabilities may face in their pursuit of a  study abroad program. The most commonly reported concern was financial. However, many disabled students expressed interest in pursuing such a study. Several types of research have focused on the psychosocial development of these students in their study abroad program.

Financial concerns were reported to be the most frequent barrier to the pursuit of a study abroad program

Students with disabilities often face a number of financial barriers. For example, they have to pay for medical services, assistive technology, tutoring, and daycare. In addition, they may have to use student loans to cover the costs of their education. These challenges can limit a disabled person’s ability to attend college or pursue graduate studies.

Students with disabilities also worry about the future of their employment. If they are unable to find work, they could lose their eligibility for Medicaid and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSI).

The most common sources of aid were Pell Grants, student loans, and state vocational rehabilitation funds. Some students received scholarships, while others were awarded financial assistance based on their academic performance.

One student opted to take a year off to work for AmeriCorps. Another chose to work part-time during the school semester. Yet another tried to work while attending school but found that it was too difficult to balance the two.

Study abroad research literature on social interaction and interpersonal relations

The study abroad Olympics aren’t the only competition in the college education arena. One of the more interesting trends in higher education is the growing trend towards preparing students for careers after graduation. In order to do this, higher education institutions are relying more on traditional curriculum offerings like calculus and chemistry while also incorporating more experiential activities. Research is showing that this isn’t just a good thing, it’s a good thing for the future of our country. Moreover, as it becomes more difficult to obtain a degree in this country, more and more students are turning to study abroad programs for a leg up. A recent study shows that more than half of the respondents are dependent on some form of financial aid.

In the world of study abroad, the intrepid traveler can count on some help from friends and family. A survey was rolled out to students, parents, alumni, and various other organizations. Although the results were mixed, some nifty stats were uncovered. Some of the more interesting findings include the fact that more than a quarter of all participants opted for a short-term program. While this statistic may not be statistically significant, it does speak to the level of interest in studying abroad amongst those surveyed.

Study abroad research literature on psychosocial development

In recent years, study abroad research has shown that participating in a study abroad program can have positive impacts on the psychosocial development of disabled students. Students with disabilities face additional challenges, and they need to be included in study abroad programs in order to achieve the full benefits of these experiences. Traditionally, these students are underrepresented in study abroad programs. However, there are a number of ways to ensure that they have the opportunity to participate in international education opportunities. The NAFSA study outlines a series of strategies that institutions of higher education can use to address the needs of these students.

To gain a better understanding of the effects of studying abroad on disabled students, researchers studied three case studies. They found that the students had increased self-confidence and improved cultural awareness and geography skills. The study also showed that participants were able to adjust to a new culture when they returned to the United States. As a result, their attitudes toward other cultures changed and their knowledge of politics and international news increased.