Gain 7 Rewards By Studying At International Schools
April 17, 2008
During the school year following 9/11 (2002-2003), the number of American students studying abroad increased 8.5% to an astonishing 174,000! This disaster jarred many into realizing we are not an isolated country but part of a global economy. Thus, in droves, they invested a year abroad to get to know more of the world they called home. Since then the numbers have remained strong. But is this the only reason a student would consider uprooting from the security of college or university life in the US to study abroad for a year? According to those who have done it, the benefits are so numerous that an article of this size can only begin to list them.
First, imagine your resume in a few years. It says, “Studied abroad for the year - at -.” In our global society, that entry would be a great selling point for future employment. Employers seek the experience and skills learned by the demands of cross-cultural learning. Flexibility, innovation, patience, creativity, and teamwork are just a few of these.
While studying abroad, students develop self-confidence because they are daily forced to make decisions while in difficult situations. Language obstacles and cultural differences forces one to do what is needed to find answers, and to have a good sense of humor when they accidentally say something other than they wanted to.
Studying abroad often immerses the student in a foreign language. Even if he has studied the language previously, learning to use it naturally is often a giant step beyond the classroom. Hearing the language used by everyday people and using it himself forces him to make it his own.
There’s no better form of immersion than studying a country’s art, music, literature, and history in their original context. It can’t help but create greater levels of learning.
How are Americans perceived by people in other countries? Whatever it is, the view is obviously a stereotype since there is no such thing as a typical American. Students studying abroad will confront these things first hand and, in the process, be given a venue for ridding the locals of their stereotypes of Americans.
An added benefit to studying abroad is the fact that the student is not alone in doing so. Students from many countries will be there, sharing their cultures and lives with the others. In this way, global awareness is compounded.
Most likely, the student will be close to a vast wealth of tourist opportunities. The Eurail system in Europe, for example, is famous for being punctual and extensive. Travel is comfortable and famous sites are not far away.
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