A study abroad director’s response to unanticipated program disruptions

Abstract

Those involved in study abroad education know that unanticipated program disruptions present unique challenges. Such disruptions range from minor issues such as forgotten items to truly catastrophic events including natural disasters, health emergencies, and political unrest. This report is guided by an interpretive study approach to better understand the experiences of one study abroad program director as they navigated their own programmatic disruptions caused by COVID-19 during the spring 2020 semester. Reflective journal entries comprise the primary data for the report which are then analyzed using narrative inquiry as an interpretive guide. Recommendations include a call for better study abroad onboarding programs for faculty and staff program directors and for increased attention to faculty and staff perspectives in study abroad contexts.