FACTORS AFFECTING TOURISM STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN STUDY ABROAD IN THE SAMPLE OF STUDENTS OF TU PÄRNU COLLEGE

Providing students with opportunities to have international learning or internship experiences as a part of tourism education programs is becoming an increasing trend. This paper explores the factors that support or limit student mobility at Pärnu College, University of Tartu, Estonia, with particular reference to the European Erasmus program. The results demonstrate the perceptions of 74 first- and second-year students before experiencing studies abroad. The findings indicate that the main discouraging factors are connected with finances and the apprehension of not graduating within nominal time.