NCJ Number
121950
Journal
New Designs for Youth Development Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 3, & 4 Dated: (Spring, Summer, & Fall 1988) Pages: 52-54
Date Published
1989
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Information regarding personality changes in adolescent 4-H Club members who traveled to Japan in 1986 for stays of 1 month formed the basis of an analysis of the effects of these exchanges on personal development.
Abstract
The participants were 154 American exchange participants from 17 States and 112 control group members who were nominated by the exchange group but who did not travel abroad. Both groups completed the California Psychological Inventory before the exchange, at its end, and 4 months later. The participants also completed demographic questionnaires. Results showed that the participants who went overseas increased in flexibility and independence and became less conventional in comparison with the group that stayed home. The most changes occurred in those who were the first member of their family to travel abroad, those who personally paid a high percentage of their trip expenses, and those who either had not studied foreign language or had studied a language for 3 or 4 semesters. Findings indicated the desirability of encouraging and funding international youth exchanges. Photograph and 8 references.