Project Lead: Mariana Bonnouvrier, Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies

In recent years, the Year Abroad, which is a compulsory part of most Modern Language degrees in the country, has become an increasingly challenging prospect for students. This has been observed across the UK HE sector. The impact of the pandemic, the student ‘mental health crisis’, increased costs of Visa applications for British students in the aftermath of Brexit, are all factors that contribute to this change of perception from the most appealing part of their degree to an incumbrance. This project aims to understand the students’ perspective better before they go abroad and when they return, by using surveys and conducting interviews. The aim is twofold: measuring the effectiveness of the preparation we have in place (workshops, a podcast, a celebration event gathering second and final year students, wellbeing in the curriculum, intercultural awareness modules) as well as improving understanding of the issues at stake (such as: resilience, loneliness, cultural differences). This close consultation with students will allow us to listen to their concerns and implement key adjustments to the delivery of the YA to improve student satisfaction. The results will also be applicable to placements in other degree programmes.

The TDF is going to be carried through in 2025/26. 2024/2025 was mostly dedicated to designing the study and recruiting participants. This year in S2 the project completed the ethics application, promoted the study to students and recruited all our participants. Students have started filling in the pre Year Abroad questionnaire and they can do so until September 2025. Gradually interviews with volunteers are starting to take place, which will go throughout their Year Abroad until the end of next academic year.

Project update was provided September 2025