Monday, October 4, 2010

Are There Any Advantages to Studying Abroad?


(From the forthcoming book, Starting Over, by Rose Jonas and David Finkelstein)

Anyone looking at the American economy is asking when the recovery will happen.  Some projections say not till 2018, despite peppier news releases saying it's over now. Anyone believing the U.S. will have the same lofty perch on the world market swing is delusional.  Whether the recession ends sooner and the economy roars back to its old heady self, outside your front door is a world marketplace.  If you have any ambition, but can't bear to leave Paducah, you are living in yesterday.  Does my bias show about the benefits of international studies?  Good!

It makes complete sense to study abroad.  You will give yourself a broader world view.  You will see better how the world comes together.  You can make decisions for yourself, outside the whacked American media, about the state of the world. 

You will think of yourself as being more cosmopolitan, and understand you're part of a planet, not just a county.  You will make friends in other cultures who may help you one day.  You will feel proud about the challenge you mastered of living in strange-to-you places.  You will have an appreciation for all you have, and an altered view of what life means.

How to study abroad?  The easiest way is through your school.  They ALL have summer or semester programs.  In them, you typically live on some city university's campus with other Americans.  You often have chances to tour this country or travel to others.  Do it! This is the most expensive way.  You pay your regular tuition, PLUS travel and accommodation and other fees in the country.  It also offers you the least chance to BE in that culture; the faces you study with all look like yours.  Find ways (safely, of course) to be out of that environment.  I asked a woman just returned from a trip to Eastern Europe if this had been a cruise.  "No," she said.  "I don't like them.  You only eat with Americans."  Well said.

You can also get your degree at Oxford, the Sorbonne or the University of Dubai.  That's a more complex decision/enrollment/acceptance possibility.

A cheaper, more exotic, possibly scarier way is to find the university and classes in the foreign city you want, find out if your school accepts those credits, apply, go there, find a place to stay, and immerse yourself in your environment.  Do this if you're an adventurer and know the language of the country-to-be.  (A repetitive but informative book on this method of study abroad is The New Global Student by Maya Frost.  Her website is: http://www.mayafrost.com/new-global-student-book.htm

Americans often choose England, Australia, Canada because of the language ease.  These are still quite different cultures.  Even if you choose the easy way, get out in the culture as much as you can.

You will have a blast.  You'll never forget it.  You'll use the experience in ways you can't even imagine now, and you'll be more attractive in the job marketplace.

1 comment:

anjalimehtus said...


do you want to study in abroad today or in the next intake. we are the best and top rated study abroad consultancies overseas education consultants in ameerpet in india with good visa assurance.we help you in filing the f1 visa for you in very less time. we are also help you with information needed to apply for the college university.