Beyond “It Was Great”: Views From Returning Sojourners

Abstract

This paper builds upon ideas from E. David Wong in examining the use of “It was great” among undergraduates returning from study abroad experiences. Using student voices reflecting upon Wong and their own use of “It was great,” the paper argues that the phrase reveals more about student learning abroad than others have argued. By examining 100 student reflections, representative categories were developed to show the range of meaning student sojourners intended when using that one phrase. The categories demonstrate that “It was great” reflects significant student learning, as well as the need for students to have opportunities to make sense of their study abroad experience.