Study Abroad
Have A Passport? You Need It!
Ever thought about teaching children in New Zealand or studying business in Argentina? How about researching Panama's tungara frog or exploring traditional Chinese medicine? College students are pursuing out-of-the-ordinary and life-changing experiences all over the world.
So, if you don't have a passport yet, apply now!
"We live in a world that requires a global perspective, and study abroad has never been more popular," writes Newsweek Editor Barbara Kantrowitz in a recent article about the challenge of choosing the right school. International study is just one topic featured on the magazine's new web site: education.newsweek.com. Students (and parents) will find advice on picking a college—and broadening their experiences overseas after they enroll!
New data from the Institute of International Education's Open Doors report shows that the number of United States students studying abroad has more than doubled in the past decade; some 260,327 went last year alone.
Wondering why YOU should study abroad?
According to Dr. Brian Stiegler, director of Salisbury University's Center for International Education, it helps students to be more engaged citizens in what he calls an "ever-shrinking global village."
"Students who decide to study abroad make an important statement about their commitment to understanding other nations," he said. "They will be more thoughtful and insightful people as a result of their experiences, and when starting their careers, they will be distinctive from other candidates."
The Global Student Exchange echoes this: "Today's competitive job market requires applicants to distinguish themselves. Having international education experience is an incredible resume booster as it shows prospective employers you are motivated, independent and generally more qualified."
Wondering when YOU could study abroad?
Some students opt to go abroad for a semester or an entire academic year. Many travel for a week or two during winter or summer breaks. Others attend branch campuses in places like Education City, Qatar, or Budapest, Hungary. Also growing in popularity are "alternative spring break" trips. Last year, Salisbury University President Janet Dudley-Eshbach joined students and faculty in Aguascalientes, Mexico, to help a marginalized community with clean water and sanitation projects.
A fluent Spanish speaker who studied in Mexico as an undergraduate and doctoral student, she said: "It does not matter what your major is or what field you plan to pursue after graduation. Your ability to engage with the world outside U.S. borders will affect your career and your life as an American more so than any generation of college graduates before you. I can tell you, my experience abroad was pivotal. Now it is your turn."
Wondering how YOU would pay for study abroad?
Many students are able to earn scholarships, fellowships or grants from a variety of sources. The U.S. Government's Fulbright program, the Boren Awards for International Study and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship are all options. Visit the Institute of International Education web site at www.iie.org for more information about these awards and to browse the IIEPassport directory of programs.
Wondering where students like YOU are going?
According to Newsweek, American students are now traveling to more far-flung and exotic locales than ever before, including countries in Asia, Africa and even the Middle East. IIE also finds that 15 of the top 25 most popular study abroad destinations are outside Western Europe.
SU Senior Kierstin Oguinn has more global experience than most of her peers. She spent two years in Japan in high school, where she hiked part of Mt. Fuji, and has also visited Canada, Peru, Ecuador, Italy (twice), France and Australia. For a recent winter term, she spent four weeks studying media and communication in India.
"The best way to learn about a country is to become completely submerged in the culture," she said. For her, that includes fishing for piranhas with Amazon locals, climbing the Eiffel tower, scuba diving around the Great Barrier Reef and throwing coins in Rome's Trevi Fountain.
She called studying abroad the experience of a lifetime: "It gives you a whole new perspective on life. Sometimes it's hard to see beyond our American boarders, but very few countries actually live as we do. There is no feeling like being in an airport and knowing when you step off the plane you'll be in a whole different world."
Now, where would YOU go?
Think about it as you are applying to colleges. Then find a program that excites you—and go!
But don't forget to get your passport!
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