Going Global: Study Abroad Intentions of Agriculture and Natural Resource Students

Study abroad programs affiliated with colleges and universities all over the world work at developing cultural awareness in students, as well as preparing them to grow academically and personally. While these experiences are encouraged, not all students choose to participate, especially, it appears, students in agriculture and natural resources. This study was designed to search for a better understanding as to why some students choose to participate while others do not, using the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The TPB states a person's behavioral intention is determined by three factors: attitude toward the behavior; degree of social pressure felt to perform or not perform the behavior; and the degree of control over performing the behavior (Ajzen, 1991). As expected, the TPB predictors were highly correlated with intentions. Multiple regression results support the TPB and direct measures of the theory variables predicted 54% of intent to study abroad. The results show the TPB can improve understanding of a student's intention to study abroad and the findings can be used to develop and market study abroad programs in which students are likely to participate.