Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Tezin Türü: Doktora
Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Eğitim Fakültesi, Eğitim Bilimleri Bölümü, Türkiye
Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2015
Tezin Dili: İngilizce
Öğrenci: Meryem Pelin Kohn
Danışman: CENNET ENGİN DEMİR
Özet:The purpose of this study was to examine the influences of the Fulbright and Erasmus international student exchange programs through the participants’ perspectives. Phenomenological design was adopted in order to investigate the meaning of individuals’ lived experiences, and the cultural, social, personal, and academic influences of the student exchange programs. Data were collected from 41 students (24 Erasmus and 17 Fulbright students) through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Findings revealed that the participants held positive perceptions toward their exchange programs. They mentioned that the exchange programs provided them opportunities for involvement in a diverse environment, in broadening their perspective, and improving their personal skills. The data revealed that increased self-esteem was perceived as the top individual experience by students. The participants stated that their exchange programs were not only helpful for improving their personal skills but also for improving their cultural and social skills. Some students also asserted that they could live anywhere else in the world, since they had secured the skills to survive in what has been termed the “global village.” Finally, the findings illustrated that the exchange programs might be effective tools in meeting the requirements of the global economy in terms of improving the skills of the future workforce. Such dual results are symbiotic in nature: Just as the internationalization of higher education fosters development of a truly global workforce, the ever-globalizing marketplace will place an increasing premium on creating cosmopolitan university graduates. Exchange programs such as Erasmus and Fulbright will play a key role in these processes.