Experiences of international exchange programs at the University of Cuenca, Ecuador: Perceptions of participants

This article reports on a study conducted among students who participated in international exchange programs at the Universidad de Cuenca, Ecuador. The intent of the study was to compare student opinions about the value of an international experience to the literature on the topic, and to investigate what students saw as benefits and challenges of the experience and how the experience contributed to their personal and professional development. The study found significant differences of opinion between incoming and outgoing students with regard to their motivations to study abroad, their personal and professional development as a result of the exposure and about their experiences with the host institution. The article advocates greater attention to the international experience among the universities in the country and provides suggestions for future research.