that students with higher levels of involvement are more likely to participate in
education abroad trips (Rust et al., 2008). Similarly, Greek students are more
involved on college campuses (Astin, 1977, 1993). Higher involvement from Greek
students may be key to the higher levels of participation in education-abroad trips
among Greek students.
Research Sub-Question Number 2
Are Greek and non-Greek students influenced to participate in
education abroad in different ways?
Survey results that examined influences to participate in study abroad may
be intimately linked to the higher participation rates among Greek students. Non-
Greek students did not experience greater levels of encouragement in any single
category, however Greek students did report greater levels of encouragement from
friends and organizational goals. In this way, Greek students seem to receive higher
levels of encouragement to participate in education-abroad activities, which might
translate into higher rates of participation among Greek students in educationabroad
activities.
Greek students reported that they were often encouraged to participate in
education abroad by friends at a much higher rate than non-Greek students. Onehundred
percent of Greek students surveyed reported either being encouraged or
highly encouraged to study abroad by their friends, whereas just 88.5 percent of
non-Greek students reported some type of encouragement from their friends. In
addition, 11.5 percent of non-Greek students either received no encouragement or
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were explicitly discouraged to study abroad by friends. The different levels of
support from friends may contribute to a lower participation rate among non-Greek
students.
Furthermore, Greek organizations are better at connecting students to
friends and peers who are interested in an education-abroad trip. Many Greek letter
organizations have been established to provide students with friendships and
connections rooted in scholarship, leadership, and service (Martin et al., 2011).
Greek students affirmed this purpose by their responses to these survey questions.
Greek students reported that the culture and goals of their organization helped
develop connections to peers with similar values and goals.
Another factor in which Greek students reported greater influence to study
abroad was found in the purposes and goals of fraternities and sororities when
compared to non-Greek student groups. Greek students reported that the values
and principles of their organizations led them to study abroad at a much higher rate
than non-Greek students. Greek students felt that the values of service, leadership,
scholarship, and friendship were directly connected to the experience of study
abroad, whereas students involved in non-Greek clubs did not report a connection
between their organizations’ values and study abroad.
Research Sub-Question Number 3
Do Greek and non-Greek students experience different barriers that
create challenges for education-abroad trips?
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The null hypothesis for sub-question four was the only in the study that
could not be rejected. From the information and data reported, there were no
discernable differences in the barriers that exist for Greek and non-Greek students
interested in study abroad. Unfortunately, these questions did not provide any
background or information to help understand the different rates. Questions
examined cost, commitments, timing, apprehension about being in a foreign setting,
and logistical issues. However, there were no significant differences in barriers
between
demonstrated that students whose hometowns are closer to campus are less likely
to participate in study-abroad activities (Stroud, 2010)—this trend does not hold
much truth in this situation. This may suggest that possibly other demographic
information holds greater significance, or Greek involvement is a key promoter.
Another background question pointed to a difference in participation that
may influence the rates of participation. While Greek students do participate in
semester-long study-abroad trips, they do not seem to participate in trips longer
than a semester (although the number of non-Greeks involved in these trips is also
nominal). The dramatic difference existing between Greek and non-Greek students
is that Greek students participate in short-term education abroad trips at a much
higher rate than their non-Greek peers. Greek students are finding the best
opportunity to study abroad exists within the trips that are shorter than eightweeks
long. This difference may account for some of the disparities in participation
rates because these trips are easier to fit into a busy schedule. A possible
opportunity for further study would be to examine why there is a difference in
length of study abroad participation between Greek and Non-Greek students.
Finally, a trend that may be particularly valid in this situation is the role that
involvement plays in education-abroad behaviors. Researchers have recognized