Assessing the Impact of International Fieldwork: The Case of J. F. Oberlin University, Japan

This study examines the impact of international fieldwork in developing students’ generic, transferable, life, and soft skills and attributes by comparing reported scores of these skills and attributes through self-evaluation surveys before and after the fieldwork and interviewing students to explore why they think that certain skills and attributes improved while other skills and attributes did not. Findings suggest that the international fieldwork may enhance skills and attributes related to initiative, execution, detecting issues, planning, delivering messages, and flexibility. However, the fieldwork did not seem to enhance skills and attributes to influence others, to listen, to grasp situations, to apply rules, to control stress, and creativity. Possible explanations for certain skills and attributes improvement and stagnation are provided in addition to suggestions for future research.