“Soft at the centre”: Using study abroad to stimulate reflection on soft skills

Barrett, G ORCID: 0000-0003-4937-8699 “Soft at the centre”: Using study abroad to stimulate reflection on soft skills. Journal of Criminal Justice Education. ISSN 1051-1253 (Accepted)

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Abstract

Study abroad experiences have a clear learning gain for students exemplified through reflection on soft and hard transferable skills that boost graduate readiness. These aptitudes include problem solving, teamwork, and global citizenry. Two time-phased semi-structured questionnaires were administered to a cohort of UK-based university students participating in a recent Criminology program course unit which incorporates a study visit abroad to Slovenia. We analyse how learning on the course unit facilitates reflection on graduate employability skills. The paper finds that there is significant learning gain from participation in study abroad as measured using a “before” and “after” Likert scale scoring mechanism. Study participants raise doubts whether their perceived skills development would have been achieved through domestic UK-based fieldwork. The findings underscore the value of study abroad experiences as an option within all or most undergraduate degree programs. These opportunities provide a key pathway to reflective practice on personal and professional skills.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Centre for the Study of Crime Criminalisation and Social Exclusion (CCSE); 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy; 1602 Criminology; 4402 Criminology
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology K Law > K Law (General) L Education > LB Theory and practice of education L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Divisions:	Law and Justice Studies
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
Date of acceptance:	9 December 2025
Date Deposited:	18 Dec 2025 14:22
Last Modified:	18 Dec 2025 14:22
DOI or ID number:	10.1080/10511253.2025.2603259
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/27744

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