A Life Away From Home: Studying Abroad

So you've never left the United States? Never learned a foreign language? No problem! Studying Abroad is one of the most rewarding experiences college has to offer, so if you have the chance to, make sure you do all the research you can as to where and when you want to go study in another country.

You've lived in the U.S. your whole life and you will probably live here for the rest of it. The chance to utilize your youthfulness to go and hop around and experience different lifestyles and cultures is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Many schools have ties with other colleges and universities abroad, and you should utilize this relationship well. These are specifically for university students, as the professors of the institution have set up a special program for sight-seeing paired with classes. You will most likely attend class for a couple days of the week and then go on various trips, or just wander the city on your own time. Make sure to go with lots of friends. Traveling with people you are comfortable with is always extreme fun, and it's very productive and interesting.

The purposes of Studying Abroad are many. There is a reason universities want to create such an environment for students. Every year, they put thousands of dollars of resources into creating a program that can tailor to various majors' needs.

Yale has a special relationship with Peking University, in which they send a group of students to Beijing to study each summer. Many people love it so much they choose to stay for a whole year. Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, and many other places will also have university ties with your school. Asia not for you? Europe and South America are also very good choices to Study Abroad.

Here are some things that students will definitely take away from a Study Abroad experience:

Learning a New Language

Studying abroad is one of the best ways to learn a new language firsthand from the people who created that language. The best and fastest way to learn a language is to be surrounded by it - listen to it, speak it, read it, and interact with others. When you are in a foreign country, most likely people won't speak that much English. You will be put in an environment that will require you to learn the language and be exposed to it on a daily basis. Languages are extremely important to be part of a global market, and seeing as how our world is getting smaller, learning a new language is a very useful tool.

Culture Shock

Students who study on the other side of the world will experience cultures that are drastically different from their own. Since we live in the United States, we don't really have a world view of many things, as most of us live in our own little worlds. When students have a chance to interact with other cultures, they can learn about the beliefs, perceptions, and way of life of other cultures. This will serve to provide a student with the openness needed to lose that "narrowmindedness." Learning about another culture can truly help you understand why people act the way they are.

Network

Plenty of students leave Study Abroad programs with a newfound appreciation for a new culture, as well as someone to share it with. Making friends is very easy when you study abroad, as you will be rooming, going to class, eating and interacting with students from another culture. Even without the natives, you will have a chance to meet many students from all over the U.S., as more than one school will most likely be doing an exchange program at an international university.

Make your Degree useful

Many employers like the global experience that students who study abroad have to offer. With our economy and society slowly becoming more globalized, it is the need for employees that have international experience that is at an all time high. Only 4% of undergraduate students study abroad, and that 4% will be highly sought after. A student with a degree with international experience will provide valuable reputation that an employer will only see as positive. Studying abroad cannot hurt you in any way, only enhance your worldview and make your resume more attractive to employers.

Openmindedness

Students who grow up in one place without much exposure to other cultures tend to be unappreciative or ignorant to other cultures' beliefs and customs. With more exposure to different areas around the world, students will have their own beliefs challenged and foundations shaken as they see other students just like them living in a whole different world. People of different cultures do things differently, most likely for good reason. With this type of experience, students who study abroad are challenged to learn the world view from a different perspective.

Break from Tradition

School can get boring in hurry. Go to class, come back to do homework, sleep, eat, take tests. With something totally new and refreshing, studying abroad may just open your eyes to something totally unlike something you are used to. Classes in a study abroad program are usually conducted in a different manner than classes in your home state. There will usually be hands on experience such as visits and tours of different historic sites.

Learn to be Independent

Away from home, you will quickly realize that your family isn't there to support you. Since you only have your peers to be with, you will quickly learn the positive effects of being responsible.

Travel the world! Make a difference! College will come and go, but studying abroad will teach you experiences you will carry with your for the rest of your life.