Hanna Strombom is a fourth-year Pre-Med Honors student from Overland Park, KS, studying finance, accounting and biology. When Hanna had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy, she noticed that the experienced helped her emotionally grow and adapt. Her travels inspired her to research the correlation between studying abroad and improved mental well-being in college-aged students.
View of Bassano del Grappa, Italy.
The site of classes and dorms on the Istituto Filippin campus in Paderno del Grappa, Italy
1. Why did you decide to research the mental health benefits of a study abroad experience?
I started with this topic because I studied abroad with the Consortium Institute for Management and Business Analysis (CIMBA) Italy Study Abroad Program in Paderno del Grappa with my thesis advisor Dr. Molly Rapert.
I am a business major but also pre-med, so I wanted to connect my interests in the medical field with my study abroad experience. I know that mental health is currently a concern for my peers. College-aged students are affected by mental health issues at alarming rates due to various pressures inside and outside the classroom. Since universities provide students with opportunities such as studying abroad to benefit their personal and professional growth, I wanted to see if there was a connection to their mental health.
I learned a lot of different skills during my study abroad experience. At home, I think I’m a naturally stressed-out person, I put 110 percent into all my schoolwork, and in Italy I learned to appreciate my relationships with people and to slow down sometimes.
Hanna with professor and thesis advisor, Molly Rapert, at a formal dinner at the end of the CIMBA program
Not everything went perfectly when we were traveling. For example, we ran into transportation strikes, so there was stress. But I was in the moment, and through those experiences, I met friends, and we worked together to problem solve.
2. What challenges did you face while researching your topic?
Through my literature review, I found lots of information that connected study abroad experiences to gaining new professional skills, learning adaptability or becoming more employable, but only short-term results were studied. My research focuses on the long-term effects and the emotional impact of the experience. One of the challenges was that I had to connect the mental health impact to the study abroad experience.
3. Your thesis uses pre-and-post data. What are the results telling you so far?
Students of the Summer 2022 CIMBA study abroad program participated in a pre-survey prior to their departure and a post-survey at the end of the program. The surveys included questions on the state of their mental health using the Psychological Wellbeing Scale and Hero Wellness Scale, which focuses on six main categories: autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life and self-acceptance. The survey also asked about program-specific aspects and their impacts on the growth of the student. Upon analysis of the survey responses, I compared the difference in responses between the pre- and post-surveys. The results show an increase in positive emotions and were statistically significant. For example, I saw across-the-board increases in the statement, “I like my personality.”
I also have an open-response section where students can leave comments. Many students mentioned challenges like cultural differences or language barriers, but I’ve noticed that most students traveling expect that there will be difficulties or times when they will feel uncomfortable. Still, they are excited to grow from the experience.
Hanna took a class field trip to the nearby town of Asolo and learned about the history.
4. Has your research experience impacted your post-grad plans?
It has impacted the medical programs I’m considering. I’m looking for schools that have study-abroad opportunities. My thesis has also inspired my travel plans; I went to Panama with Global Bridges this past winter break to serve on a medical mission trip. I want to see the world and not be confined to just the experience I’m used to here. It’s an incredible opportunity to learn from other people.
5. Do you have any advice for students pursuing their honors theses?
Connect with your interests first. I’m a finance major, and my thesis is not business related. The thesis process is a big task, but I’ve enjoyed working on mine because it interests me. I look forward to researching because learning about studying abroad is a passion of mine.