Gendered transitions: Women's experiences of experiential education

This qualitative case study explores the transformative impact of an off-campus US-based experiential education program on female students. Founded by a group of Christian colleges, this program offers students the opportunity to live in a large metropolitan area while learning through experiences in both professional work settings and the city. Data collected from focus groups over the span of 2 years show female students were transformed in their understanding of themselves as professionals and leaders. Students also discovered tensions in messages previously received about identity and gendered expectations in relation to who they felt they were becoming.