Chapter 11. Study Backpackers: Australia’s Short-stay International Student Travellers

Development and validation of a Multidimensional Motivations to Study Abroad Scale (MMSAS) among European Credit Mobility Students

“…As in previous attempts to develop a motivation to study abroad scale, the MMSAS lacks a clear theoretical conceptualization, thus the identification of the dimensions of the resulting scale is data driven. Furthermore, since study abroad programmes provide a formal framework through which learning can occur, educational institutions highlight the educational and career benefits of the study abroad experience (Jarvis & Peel, 2008). Especially in contexts where students are selected for participation in study abroad programmes, they may be motivated to adhere to what they consider their institution's expectations, thus potentially exposing some subscales of the MMSAS (e.g., those related to improved academic knowledge or leisure-related reasons) to a social desirability bias.…”

Study abroad motivations, destination selection and pre-trip attitude formation

“…The results of two studies on study abroad student motivations by Kitsantas (2004) and Weirs-Jenseen (2003) can generally be grouped into four motivational categories including crosscultural experience, academics, future careers and family heritage. While examining the study backpackers in Australia, Jarvis and Peel (2008) found that most individuals participate in a short-term study abroad in order to gain a broadened global awareness, to experience new and exciting cultures, to have social interactions and meet new people and to get away from normal life.…”

“…While the benefi ts of study abroad programs highlighted by educational institutions are related to education and career, many young American students are motivated by nonacademic desires for international travel. Study abroad programs enable students to fulfi lll their desires for travel through a socially legitimate travel motivation (Jarvis and Peel, 2008), and many study abroad participants tend to combine the structure of the study abroad programs with short periods of independent travel. An Australian study found that this group of tourists, sometimes referred to as 'study backpackers', account for about 29% of the total nights spent in the destination, and contributed an estimated $3 billion per year to the Australian economy (Jarvis and Peel, 2008).…”

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“…Furthermore, students were motivated to study abroad since international experiences look attractive on resumes (Briers et al, 2010). Jarvis and Peel (2008) completed a study inquiring about students' motivations to study in another country. The top motivations revealed were: the wish to broaden their awareness of the world, the desire to travel and study in another country for a long time, the wish to meet new people, and the desire to experience another culture (Jarvis & Peel, 2008).…”

“…Jarvis and Peel (2008) completed a study inquiring about students' motivations to study in another country. The top motivations revealed were: the wish to broaden their awareness of the world, the desire to travel and study in another country for a long time, the wish to meet new people, and the desire to experience another culture (Jarvis & Peel, 2008). Other motivations included: studying abroad seemed like a challenging experience, they wanted a change from their everyday home life, they heard positive comments from friends about studying abroad, and lastly they viewed it as a way to enhance their career opportunities (Jarvis & Peel, 2008).…”