Presented By: Jayden Lawrence, Illinois State University
Co-Authors: Drew Lugar, Illinois State University

Students’ studying abroad face a variety of challenges both before they are abroad, as well as while they are there. The present study is a replication of a previous study conducted by the authors which took place in December of 2022. The present study was in a 10-day Animal Science based study abroad program that took place in the Yucatan state of Mexico in January 2024. The study aimed to determine the amount of stress caused by short-term study abroad programs on the participants, and if demographic and experience levels affected these stress levels. This was completed through the collection of physiological stress data measured using a stress index from participant heart rate variability (HRV), psychological stress data measured via Perceived Stress Surveys (PSS), and demographic data from surveys. Stress data was collected four times in the semester leading to the abroad program, and daily while abroad with all measurements taking place prior to 10:00 in the morning. Preliminary analysis of data shows that participants had higher physiological stress abroad, than they did prior to leaving (P=0.02). However, in terms of physiological stress, they were more stressed prior to leaving than while abroad (P<0.01). Ethnicity also played a role in participant PSS where Caucasian participants had higher PSS than non-Caucasian participants (P<0.01). The results from this study are similar to the original study, where ethnicity and period showed the same effect on perceived stress. However, the previous study found no effects on physiological stress, which could be due to the consistency of the daily timing of measurements in the present study. The present study also has a larger, more diverse participant population. It is important to consider continuing studies like these to ensure the best experience for future participants.