School Adjustment among Middle and High School Students Abroad at an Early Age and Related Variables
AUTHOR : 권미경,이순형
INFORMATION : page. 43~63 / 2007 Vol.14 No.3
ABSTRACT
This research examines the variables negatively affecting school adjustment among middle and high school students who study abroad, and identifies the differences in experiences between 4 countries. A survey was conducted targeting 427 middle and high school students studying in the U.S., Canada, China and New Zealand to determine school adjustment and satisfaction with school life. Variables in school adjustment for middle and high school students studying abroad included age, the extent of preparation before study abroad, student GPA in Korean schools, the time studying abroad, language skills and the target countries. The most decisive variables affecting all aspects of school adjustment were student GPA in Korean schools, language skills and the target countries. Student GPA, skill in foreign language and the characteristics of the target country are critical in preparation to study abroad. The findings in part, support the recent trend of increasing numbers of students studying abroad, not to avoid challenging school life or study in Korea, but to advance themselves further, as some antecedent research indicated.