Socioemotional Changes in University Students

International Mobility Duration and Friendships Matter

Bibliographic Data

ID21611229
AuthorsMarian Soroa (0000-0002-5315-1465, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Education, Philosophy and Anthropology Faculty, Department of developmental and educational psychology, San Sebastian, Spain, corresponding author), Nere Amenabar (0000-0003-0479-1308, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Education, Philosophy and Anthropology Faculty, Department of didactics and school organization, San Sebastian, Spain), Joanes Lameirinhas (0000-0002-5304-7166, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Psychology Faculty, Department of clinical and health psychology and research methodology, San Sebastian, Spain)
Year2025
Volume29
Issue5
Pages756-775
Publication date2025-11-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Studies in International Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1028-3153 • E-ISSN: 1552-7808
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/10283153251328403
OpenAlexW4408530457
LanguageEN
References cited19

Fostering transversal skills is important for adapting to an ever-changing world. This study aims to evaluate the socioemotional skills of undergraduate university students participating in semester-long international mobility programs. To this end, an initial sample of 128 students from a public university in Spain participated: 49 mobility students and 79 non-mobility students. The results indicate that students who participate in mobility programs have a different socioemotional profile from their peers before starting mobility, with higher levels of self-concept and empathy. In addition, after the stay, mobility students improve their empathic skills, social skills, and resilience. It is also observed that students who maintain friendships at their destination with national hosts develop empathy, resilience, and social skills to a greater extent than those who do not. These results shed light on the socioemotional skills of international mobility students and the changes they undergo after mid-length stays at other universities

Developmental psychology · Economic growth · Economics · Friendship · Higher education · International education · Mathematics education · Pedagogy · Socioemotional selectivity theory · Sociology · Study abroad · Grit, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation · Psychology · Psychosocial Factors Impacting Youth · Resilience and Mental Health · Social Psychology

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