Benefits to Studying Abroad

Every year, thousands of American students choose to broaden their horizons and continue their studies in a foreign nation. Nearly every major United States university offers some form of a study abroad program - often operating with reciprocity with a foreign university, meaning that their students come to study in America for an allotted time as well. It is not an experience for everybody. Packing up and leaving all of one's friends and family behind for an extended period to live in a foreign land with different customs and personalities (and often a different language) can be very daunting for young people of college age. But for many students, it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of their entire lives. Here is a look at some of the benefits offered by a typical study abroad program:

- Learn a foreign language: Nothing will help develop foreign language than being dumped directly into the land of its native tongue. For American students, the opportunity to develop their Spanish in Spain, French in France, German in Germany, et al would be invaluable. Being forced to immerse oneself into the language for basic communication can accelerate the learning process like nothing else. Teaching books and audio tapes have their place, but - at the end of the day - there really is no substitute for the real thing.

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 Understanding a foreign culture: Americans can live in a bit of an ivory tower. We often see the world through the prism that is our preferred news channel. By going to a foreign country and mingling with the local population, students are often able to discard many of their misconceptions or preconceived notions. In addition to learning about other cultures and civilizations, one gains a better understanding of how the United States is viewed by those cultures.

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 Build lasting friendships: Nearly all study abroad programs greatly encourage mingling amongst the travelling students and the local populations. This builds friendships that will often last long past the length of the study abroad program. Students may find that despite cultural and lingual differences, they share a tremendous amount of common ground with their foreign counterparts. This helps us to realize that we are one world as opposed to just a series of separated nations.

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 Future potential: A study abroad experience looks great on a future resume. Employers love when applicants show a proven ability to work through a challenging experience. Also, with international business becoming a key aspect of nearly every major corporation (and even some smaller ones), having an educational experience in a nation where a company does business can really give an applicant a leg up on the competition.

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 Entertainment value: It is fun! See the sights, view the history, mingle with the locals, enjoy the cuisine, etc. Some of the more interesting aspects of the United States may date back a few hundred years. There are locations and traditions elsewhere in the world that date back a few millennia! And who would not want to sample some of the local nightlife in Barcelona, Paris, Berlin, or Sydney? There really is no shortage of entertainment to be had - in between one's studies, of course.