Short-term study abroad: culture and the path of least resistance

American universities are decreasing the length of study abroad programs in an effort to send more students abroad. Recent publications find that “short-term” programs struggle to increase participants’ cultural understanding. However, these research findings fail to offer an explanation as to why shorter programs are falling short. This study suggests that “culture traveling the path of least resistance” is one of the main inhibitors to students’ cultural understanding. Conclusions are based on participant observation, focus group, and semi-structured interview data gathered from two short-term programs. It is concluded that pre-trip and while-abroad activities must be administered in order to allay “least resistance.”