Improving the Delivery of a Construction Management Study-Abroad Course in Ireland through Student Feedback

Abstract

International study abroad offers limitless opportunities for students to learn outside of the traditional university setting. By living and learning in a foreign country, the student's exposure to a different culture can help them experience history first-hand and discover new ways of thinking/living. Recent trends show that the number of U.S. college students participating in study-abroad courses offered by their university is increasing. Apart from the exposure to different cultures, many study abroad courses do not provide a focused subject area related to a discipline of study chosen by the individual student. This paper describes an overall view of an international construction management study-abroad course conducted in Ireland by both American and Irish faculty members. The results of student surveys that were used to assess the course learning objectives and provide suggestions for improvement are also presented. These suggestions can be used by faculty members to develop or improve similar construction-focused study-abroad courses.