International vs. Domestic Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU): A Three-Year Assessment of the Preparation of Students for Global Workforces

Student Learning in International Research Programs: A Comparison Across Cultural Contexts

“…Wheatley et al compared a single global research program across multiple years, and found that adjustments to their orientation seemed to help students achieve greater research focus earlier in the program, resulting in publishable material by the end [14]. Similarly, one study within engineering education compared domestic and global REU programs and found that global competence is a differentiating outcome between them [5], [15]. Although some components of the REU experience have been studied, thus far a comparison of global research experiences across multiple foreign countries has not been explored.…”

“…One type of global engineering program that has the potential to address these challenges are international research experiences, which typically take place during the summer and provide students with a salary. Research has suggested that such experiences can meaningfully influence students' global competence [5], but few studies have explored how components of the experience may influence learning. This study compares two NSF-sponsored international research experiences for students (IRES) programs that send students to two different countries to identify differences in learning outcomes between the program participants.…”

Board 369: Reimagining International Research for Students in a Virtual World

“…One way to develop researchers who are both interculturally competent and able to navigate global research networks within their field is to provide international research experiences for students. Prior work has indicated that such experiences lead to a wide range of learning outcomes including intercultural competence, research skills, personal development, and, importantly, a new perspective on their career goals and trajectory [1]- [6]. However, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, international collaborations and programs for students faced challenges in continuing their typical operations.…”