STRESSORS AND REACTIONS TO STRESS: A CROSS-CULTURAL CASE STUDY IN TWO EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

With the increasing number of exchange and abroad study programs it is important to look at the academic environment, what type of stressors, and reactions to stress college students face while completing their higher education. This cross-cultural mixed-methods case study looks at similarities and differences in sources of stressors and students' reactions to stressors in two teacher education programs with comparable curriculum, at two universities from different countries (United States and Romania). Data were gathered with a survey and focus group discussions. In the light of a student exchange program, to see if students would experience similar academic life in the two educational programs, the purpose of this study was to compare reported stressors and self-reports on reactions to stressors. Results show that from a cultural perspective there are similarities and differences in the stressors reported by students. Results from this cross-cultural study are of major importance for administrators in the two educational programs, and are important also for potential future student exchange or study abroad programs in these two cultures.