Benefits and challenges of online overseas programs : the case of global learning activity at faculty of tourism, Wakayama University

The Global Learning Activity (GLA) of the Faculty of Tourism at Wakayama University has sent 100 students abroad since 2016 to participate in language and cultural training programs offered by universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. However, in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the GLA adopted online programs. The purpose of this paper is to examine the benefits and challenges of online GLA in comparison to face-to-face GLA, based on student survey responses. Authors analyze that online GLA provides students with more learning opportunities economically and is considered to be as effective as face-to-face programs in terms of English learning. Furthermore, online learning programs allow students to focus more on their classes without the burden of environmental changes. On the other hand, since students do not need to use English outside of the classes, it is considered necessary to have them work with native speakers continuously in real time.