Evaluating student stress in relation to a short-term study abroad program in animal science

While study abroad programs provide many benefits for participants, they can be very intimidating and stress-inducing for individuals that choose to participate. This study aimed to quantify student physiological and psychological stress surrounding a short-term study abroad program. By utilizing a modified Perceived Stress Survey (PSS) and a Stress Index that is derived from heart rate variability measurements, results have shown how student demographics and program adjustments can impact student stress levels. The results show that Caucasian participants had higher PSS scores than non-Caucasian participants (P < 0.01). Participants also had higher PSS scores prior to leaving than while abroad (P < 0.01). However, participants were more physiologically stressed while they were abroad than prior to leaving (P = 0.01). Following a change in the program’s curriculum, there was also a decrease in psychological stress between participants in this study and a preliminary study conducted the year prior.