2022 Global Education Student Experience Survey

DA Global’s Global Education Experience Student Survey offers a comprehensive look at what students actually experience before, during, and after studying abroad — from program selection and on-site life to the re-entry process back home. The survey provides practical insights for advisors, faculty, and program administrators working to improve the quality of global education for all students.

The survey was conducted in Fall 2022 and gathered responses from 934 students across more than 200 institutions, representing programs in over 70 countries and 19 fields of academic study. Respondents span a wide range of program types — from faculty-led programs and direct enrollment to third-party providers and internships — and program durations from short-term to a full academic year.

Among the areas explored: how students learned about and decided to participate in their programs, what support they received on-site, how they grew personally and professionally, and how they navigated the return home. The data surfaces both the strengths of current program design and the gaps that still need to be addressed.

The survey also captures important identity dimensions of the student experience — including race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and first-generation college student status, with 24.4% of respondents identifying as first-generation. For these students in particular, the data highlights where targeted support can make a meaningful difference in access and outcomes.

Key findings:

• Students reported strong personal growth: 91% experienced improved cultural adaptation and 90.6% increased self-confidence.
• Program cost was the top logistical concern, with over half of respondents indicating it as a significant worry before departure.
• Family (84.3%) and peers (71.5%) were the primary sources of support students turned to before going abroad — more than institutional advisors.
• Over half of respondents felt stereotyped or isolated at least once while overseas, and nearly one-third experienced verbal harassment or microaggressions.
• The majority had access to identity-related resources before going abroad — yet over half did not expect their identity to be a significant factor prior to enrolling.
• Many students experienced the intersection of multiple identities — including first-generation status, race, gender, and nationality — as shaping their daily experience abroad.