Although we are living in a world connected by digital communication and a globalized economy, it is sometimes difficult to realize this from the vantage point of one cultural perspective. Travel to foreign cultures, especially those that speak a different language, can have a powerful effect on a developing mind. By traveling abroad, the cultures and places that you might read about on Wikipedia or in a documentary on Netflix become real, tangible, and personal. As some of us in this class can say from experience, "nothing beats actually being there." Furthermore, studying abroad can be a real boon to college graduates when they enter the work force. My experience in dealing with novel and foreign situations can be seen as a real asset by potential employers. Knowing a foreign language is also generally seen as an asset as well, even if it does not directly apply to a potential job's description. I believe that people who go abroad for an extended period of time and learn the local language are generally viewed as passionate, forward-thinking, and adaptable. Is this not exactly the types of people we need our educational system to produce going forward? The next century is going to be filled with challenges on a global scale, and it would serve us well to be educating young people be better global citizens. This is why I see so much value in studying abroad and I would love to see us work toward a higher education system that offers this opportunity to all students in a way that is affordable and sustainable.
What would a study abroad requirement look like? Would such a thing be feasible? Would it be better to work toward a nationalized study abroad program akin to the ERASMUS program in Europe? I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below.
What would a study abroad requirement look like? Would such a thing be feasible? Would it be better to work toward a nationalized study abroad program akin to the ERASMUS program in Europe? I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below.
For more food for thought on this subject, check out this short series of articles on study abroad that appeared last year in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/10/17/should-more-americans-study-abroad
Of course all of us are very passionate about study abroad, but making it mandatory for everyone would be an interesting concept. It would require a lot of infrastructure to be created to make it so that everyone could study abroad. The Erasmus program in Europe is a wonderful example of how to make study abroad more financially doable. I know in Spain the government would pay most of the costs to study abroad, but it was competitive to get into these programs. In order to make it affordable, you would have to somehow get funding to make it affordable. Would it come from taxes, or hiked tuitions? Neither of those are very doable now. Unless colleges could make deals with airlines, and make the programs themselves cost the same as a year at the student's home university, this would not be doable. That being said, I do agree that study abroad is useful for any student. It's so cliche but it does expand your mind, and make you grow as a person. I certainly am not the same person I was before I went abroad, and I'm glad I'm not. I matured as a person, and am now more confident. That sort of experience is great for anyone.
ReplyDeleteKevin, I'm so glad to hear that the two abroad experiences (Costa Rica, Spain) had a positive impact on you. I think most students feel the same way. I've directed abroad program for many years. It's so amusing for me to see how students grow and learn … It's priceless!
DeleteHaving both studied abroad and assistant-taught on a study abroad program, I have been able to observe both my personal growth and the growth of other students. I will say however, that I think programs that more self guided, while not for everybody, can have the most profound effect on a person. It's very easy to fall into the trap of only hanging out with people who speak your native language while participating in these programs. This is why I would advise students to avoid the more popular destinations in favor of a smaller program or city with fewer tourists, especially if they are planning to stay for a whole year. The less Americans you run into day to day while abroad, the better :)
DeleteYes—more study abroad please! As far as affordability, the way American Universities facilitate exchanges is somewhat of a scam. Students pay their US universities their same tuition (plus special fees) to go to a College abroad that most likely costs only a small percentage of this tuition. The difference is absorbed by their own school, not given to the student.
ReplyDeleteI believe this is dishonest, and if addressed, the difference in these tuition costs could probably allow more students to study abroad. There is a program, Erasmus Mundo that has applied the Erasmus concept globally. The only thing hinging on the success of such a program for American students is compatibility/acceptance of transfer credits at their home universities. Unlike many schools abroad, lots of colleges in the US are private, and make it very hard for students to use credits earned elsewhere towards their degrees.
I see this as issue that could be easily solved, but, I am not sure how accepting US universites may be to these changes.
Its interesting that you bring this up, Chloë! I remember learning that attending classes at the University of Bourgogne (University of Burgundy) would cost the French students about 400 euros, whereas we were paying UNH tuition for the exact same education. I am (obviously) an advocate for studying abroad, but it would make more sense to me if students paid the tuition rate that the French students (or Spanish, German, etc.) paid for their education. If we really wanted to get the FULL French (Spanish, German, etc.) experience, wouldn't it make sense for the payments to be the same as well?
DeleteI also wanted to add that there is one fact that I remember from the study abroad meeting that I attended when I was a sophomore at UNH, and that is that only 2% of American college students study abroad. In a world that is becoming more global, international, and more dependent on other countries, studying abroad should be made more of a priority. I understand that this would require changing the system of education that we have today, making more room and flexibility for these opportunities to go abroad, as well as changing the financial aspect, but I see the reward as being worth it.
DeleteYup! My two years in Saarbrücken cost me a laughable 200 Euros per semester in enrollment fees. Study abroad is much less expensive than people realize if you try and eliminate the middle man.
DeleteIt would have to be an institutional change as much as a financial adjustment, I think. There is a wide variation in quality of study abroad programs, and for students who are not traveling in order to study a language I would think the options would be overwhelming. Most of us chose our study abroad destination based on language preference, but for those not focusing on language the choice is less obvious. My cousin who studies business went to Australia for a semester, my friend who studies international affairs went to Denmark, and I had another friend who studies occupational therapy go to Rome. None of them know a second language. For some of them, their studies - while providing a foundation and routine for their lives there - did not seem central to their experience. The were impacted by their time abroad, but it was not well-integrated with education. There are advantages and disadvantages to that. But what I'd like to say is that if study abroad became more widespread, programs would have to improve accordingly and universities would have to become more adept and finding programs that made the student investment of time and money worth it. A study abroad is a terrible thing to waste.
ReplyDelete