Author Information
Rodger Williamson, The University of Kitakyushu, JapanYumiko Shibata, The University of Kitakyushu, Japan
Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic significantly reshaped attitudes toward study abroad among university students enrolled in study-abroad-required curricula, while simultaneously disrupting established international mobility programs such as student exchange and overseas study. At the same time, higher education institutions worldwide accelerated the development of domestic and online alternatives for international learning, including virtual exchange and collaborative online international learning. This proceedings paper examines changes in student perceptions of study abroad during the pandemic and explores how international programs were sustained through a combination of institutional support and long-standing human networks among faculty and partner institutions. Drawing on both quantitative and qualitative data, the study analyzes cultural dynamics of communication in cross-cultural learning, with particular attention to uncertainty avoidance and individualism–collectivism. The findings indicate that pandemic conditions heightened uncertainty avoidance in intercultural communication, influencing student engagement and expectations in both physical and online international programs. In addition, a case study of the Galway–Kitakyushu exchange program demonstrates how research-based relationships and sustained faculty collaboration contributed to the resilience and continuity of international exchange during periods of disruption. By highlighting the complementary roles of structural frameworks and interpersonal academic networks, this study contributes to ongoing discussions of international higher education, student mobility, and the long-term sustainability of exchange programs in the post-pandemic era.
Paper Information
Conference: ACE2025Stream: International Education
This paper is part of the ACE2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Williamson R., & Shibata Y. (2026) Exploring Student Needs for Overseas Programs Through Collaboration With International Exchange Partnerships ISSN: 2186-5892 – The Asian Conference on Education 2025: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 1149-1155) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2186-5892.2026.90
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2186-5892.2026.90
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