ABSTRACT
Currently, few studies have explored coordinators’ experiences managing study abroad programs (SA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this chapter, faculty members were responsible for managing a compulsory one-year study abroad program for undergraduate students enrolled in a four-year foreign language faculty in Japan. As a result, five academic staff members responded to a qualitative survey that asked them to reflect on the challenges and opportunities they faced while facilitating a SA program during the pandemic. Participants also evaluated online SA considering their overall program goals. We found that students had positive and negative experiences through online SA. For coordinators, despite several challenges, there were also some opportunities for program improvement. Overall, this chapter provides a snapshot of the experiences of one university and its academic staff facilitating an SA program during the pandemic and explores solutions to some of the issues stakeholders have faced during an unprecedented time.
