Studying abroad. A concept that has been introduced and overworked throughout college campuses around the world. Almost all colleges and universities have some form of a study abroad program. All programs are different, and some are much bigger than others. A typical study abroad program allows a student from one university to live and study at another university in another country. These two universities have some sort of agreement that allows for their students to come to either university while still being enrolled at the original university. This allows for the student to earn credits for classes while being in another country. A typical program consists of a student studying abroad for a full semester. However, there are also programs that allow a student to study for multiple semesters or for a full year. There are also programs that highlight internships and volunteer based involvements that can be only a couple weeks or last up to a year as well. A standard program is when a student simply stays in a dormitory or an apartment that is normal for their original university. Nevertheless, there are also programs that involve a host family. This is where a student stays with another family in a foreign country while still studying at the local university (Diamond).

When it was time for me to decide on what colleges or universities I was going to apply to, I didn’t really consider the study abroad programs. I knew that the colleges had the programs, but I didn’t choose a college based on how big or successful the program actually was. Before attending college, many students are aware that studying abroad is an option, and like me, know that their college has a study abroad program. However, many people do not find it necessary to think about studying abroad their first year, because not many people study abroad that early or can. If a student is fortunate enough, throughout their lifetime they will travel to different places around their country and even outside of their country. This can lead to people considering studying abroad but waiting until their second or third year when they have settled into college life. 

 Last summer I was fortunate enough to travel to Europe with some of my fellow high school classmates and teachers. We toured France, Italy, Spain, and Monaco. It was not considered an academic trip because it was not through the school, but going with classmates and teachers made the experience feel educational. Unlike studying abroad, the trip only lasted two weeks. However, I could experience being away from my family and experience other countries cultures and languages. Our tour guide remained with us the entire trip and spoke five different languages. Throughout the entire trip, he taught us different phrases and words that would help us communicate with locals, store workers, and transportation individuals. I know this trip did not relate to studying abroad through a university, but I believe that this experience has helped me decide that I will study abroad and that if I study abroad, I will have a few more advantages than someone who has never traveled to another country. 

I believe that every student should study abroad during their college career. There are going to be disadvantages with studying abroad, like everything else. Everything does not play out perfectly. Yet, there are countless advantages and benefits to studying abroad that outweigh all the disadvantages. The academia is the most important aspect of studying abroad and working towards earning credits to graduate. Depending on the students major or minors, most study abroad programs have credits that will accommodate the students list. The cost of studying abroad is also important information to know beforehand. Most study abroad programs are the same as the original universities tuition. However, many people forget to realize that extra costs play a huge role in the experience. It is important for college students to take all this information into account before studying abroad, but should also study abroad anyway to figure out their personal preference on whether studying abroad is beneficial. 

A blog posted by Valeri Boyle, points out that there are two major factors that every study abroad program includes when mentioning the advantages of studying abroad. These two benefits are ways that help an individual grow professionally and personally. The first, personal growth, focuses on the opportunity to further the student’s academia by globalizing their knowledge in a foreign country. The main reason to study abroad is for the academics but many programs like to point out the numerous opportunities that involve self-change and self-recognition. Since there are so many different types of programs, every student can find a good fit that matches their personality and goals. By branching out of the norm, students can learn to embrace new languages and cultures. If the student is interested in learning or becoming fluent in that countries language, learning can be even more successful than it would be if learned in a different environment. This is also supported by the communication with natives of the country. Boyle states, “It’s easy to have a limited view of the world we live in, but international travel can relieve you of this.” This argument makes sense, because reading about different cultures is one thing, but being able to experience it, helps contribute to personal thoughts and opinions. It also helps individuals learn how other countries see their country and how traditions are different in every country (Boyle).

The second, Professional growth. When graduating college, the next step is to find a job that relates to the individual’s degree. It can often be difficult for a person to find a job that fits exactly what they are looking for. Instead the person might have to settle for a job until the right jobs opens. These jobs that are often hiring newly graduated college students can be very competitive. Employers like to see college graduates who were very involved and challenged themselves during their college career. Studying abroad involves a lot of effort and courage that changes a person’s perspective and how they see the world. In turn, this creates a person who understands real life situations and has the strength and ability to learn and grow with any career. By studying abroad, the employer can see that the individual can adapt to new surroundings and is not afraid of change. Having a resume that lists having studied abroad in another country shows the employers how experienced and how open minded someone is. Likewise, doing an internship or volunteering abroad shows how someone has learned the competitive work force internationally and how communicating with other nations is vital to any employer (Boyle).

On the other hand, it is important to recognize that with every situation there is going to be downsides. Throughout my research, I have found many articles that describe the horrible encounters that can happen while studying abroad, why it can be too expensive, and why sometimes for a student it is just not worth it. Another blog posted by MariaAbroad, who has studied abroad, created a list of disadvantages. She used her personal experiences and others like hers, to narrow the list to what she believed were the seven most important factors for college students to know before they decide on studying abroad (MariaAbroad). 

The first issue, not everyone is a genius. Being a college student and trying to maintain grades, while having a social life, and taking care of your wellbeing is already hard enough, but imagine doing it in a completely different country where you know nothing about the culture or language. Of course, there are some people who study abroad in places that they are majoring or minoring in the language and already have some basic background on the culture. However, this is not the case for all students, and the concept can be very challenging. Most students who are thinking about studying abroad, like myself for example, tend to forget about this because of how excited they are to get to travel while in college. Even if the language is not something a student plans on learning, it is important to understand basic everyday motions to communicate while studying in the country to help the experience be better. If a student keeps this in mind, even if they are not the smartest person, their experience will be a lot better than if they tried to keep going through the program while struggling to live and communicate (MariaAbroad). 

The next issue that comes up is the fact that you are alone. Studying abroad can be scary because not only is there not going to be any family but typically friends are not going to go to the exact same place or go through the same program. Technology has made communicating through long distances much easier but it is not the same as having familiar people face to face to help with problems (MariaAbroad). However, living in a dorm on campus is not the only way to study abroad. A concept that is nothing new, but tends to be left out of many study abroad presentations and brochures, is the idea of staying with a host family. Staying with a host family ensures that you are not alone. Depending on how well the host family speaks the student’s language or how inviting they are of the student into the home, the family might make the student feel as if they are home. However, there is also a completely different scenario that could take place. Having to room with a random stranger in college seems weird at first but everyone for the most part tends to get used to it. The roommates are normally around the same age and are there for the same reasons so he or she understands the possibilities that can happen. On the other hand, staying with a host family can be extremely intimidating and awkward. The family is all familiar with each other and the student is just encroaching on their space. An article states, “Homestay is a negative predictor for the speaking gain, has no apparent effect on listening, and is a positive predictor for the reading gain.” The reasoning behind these were explained by the uncomfortable feeling many students have while being with host families, and how unprepared they were for the intensity of the different culture and language. However, the type of student also depends on how well staying with a host family will really go. If the student is very outgoing and gets along with new people very well, the homestay could be more beneficial than staying in a regular dorm with a roommate (Knight et al., 190-195). However, most students find a group of friends that help make the journey easier when in college, that often turn into family. So being alone throughout the entire study abroad experience is very unlikely. 

The third issue pointed out by MariaAbroad, was the idea that reality can be disappointing (MariaAbroad). I personally have experience with this. My whole life I have always heard about how Paris, France is the most romantic city in the world, and how the Eiffel Tower is one of the most amazing monuments to see in person. This summer when I traveled to France I was a little disappointed. I know that everyone has different experiences but almost everyone on the trip agreed with me. The city was overcrowded and there was this smell that followed throughout the entire city. I never imagined how popular smoking would be there either. Everywhere I went I noticed that there were cigarettes on the ground in piles and hundred were piled in the drains. The Eiffel Tower was beautiful to look at and was incredibly made, but the surrounding area was just buildings and a very small patch of grass. I guess in movies I had just always imagined a bigger area of grass where people took pictures of the tower in the background. The lines to get to the top of the tower were ridiculous. I waited in line for two in a half hours only to get to ride to the middle of the tower because then there was another line and our group had other places to be. I was so disappointed I cried because I waited so long to see this city and go to the top and I didn’t even get to. I remember saying I would never go back to Paris, but some part of me hopes that I just did not have a good experience and one day I will go back and have a much better stay. 

The fourth issue and the one that hits home the most for me, is the concept that nothing is free. Sure, the tuition is the same as the original college, because that’s how the study abroad programs work, but there are numerous extra costs that so many programs leave out because they don’t want to scare the student away. The travel costs that will more than likely include a plane flight or multiple flights is never included in the programs fees. Any extra expenses like bus or train rides to nearby cities and countries to adventure to are going to be a little pricey. Eating out at restaurants to experience the culture is going to cost extra because more than likely it is not included in the meal plan. Any souvenirs that the student is going to want for keep sakes or to bring home to family and friends is going to cost extra. Toiletries and any necessities are going to cost extra just like they would at the student’s original college. I know personally that getting a job while being in college has been hard not only because I am limited to how far I can travel to work because I don’t have a way of transportation but also because I am constantly doing homework or studying for exams. I couldn’t imagine working in a foreign country while studying abroad. Also, some countries do not allow a foreign student to work, so any financial aid needed is going to have be earned and brought abroad or have someone supporting from back home (MariaAbroad). Yet this is true for anyone who is planning on traveling. Traveling is expensive, and people normally must save up money and work for long periods of time to travel to these destinations for vacation. Since students are already paying to go to college for tuition, it is probably cheaper in the long run to travel while in college because room and board is already included.

The fifth issue that could be very detrimental is not getting any credit for the time spent studying abroad. The main purpose of studying abroad is to earn credits that will help guide the student to earning enough credits to graduate (MariaAbroad). In a third blog written by Maggie Kelly, she lists six key points that focus on the academics when studying abroad. The main point is to register for classes that are specific to the area. This may sound contradictory to what I just said about taking classes that fulfil the necessary credits to graduate, but every college requires humanity classes and extra credits. In some cases, these classes can satisfy these credits while also allowing the student to learn more about the area and experience it better. Another point is to take classes very seriously. The main reason for taking classes and going to college is to pass them and graduate. If the student does not take the class seriously and fails or makes bad grades, they will not earn any credits and it will be a waste of time and a lot of money. The next point is only for someone who is considering majoring or minoring in the language. Therefore, the student should take as many classes in that language as possible. Because what better way to learn a language than in a country where the language is native. The next three all tie together. If the student studies better in a group, then finding some people to study with would be very helpful. On the other hand, if a student tends to work better alone, finding an environment with a quite space that is comforting to the student is very important. Finally, the student should develop a schedule (Kelly). My personal preference with this, is having a planner. I feel much more organized when I have everything written down that I need to accomplish and knowing when my deadlines are. I believe that any student should create some form of this to feel more organized and always have plenty of time to study and take advantage of extra time to spend adventuring abroad.

The second to last disadvantage was this idea of reverse culture shock. Something I never even imagined would occur. While studying abroad, students are learning about different cultures and languages and getting use to this new way of living. The student knows that eventually the time there will end, but does not consider that now they must go back to a different way of living. This concept of reverse culture shock and learning to live back in your home country can be as hard as learning to live in the foreign country in the first place. As so many study abroad programs have stated, students change while they study abroad. They grow as individuals and become aware of real life situations. The student learns how to manage change and how to live on their own in a new place. These changes transform a person to someone completely different from who they were when they left. The saddest part of this all, is the fact that while the student is abroad, time is still passing back at home. Friends and family can change as well. New opportunities can be present for friends while in college and cause them to grow as an individual as well. As exciting as it may be to come back home and share all the new experiences with friends and families, they might have news too. News that will make the student feel excluded and an outsider because they have been missing these actions (MariaAbroad). To me culture shock does not have to always be a bad thing. This could lead someone to decide that maybe they were meant to live in the country that they studied abroad. The country might have more benefits that will help them have a happy and successful life. The changes that friends and families go through during this time also might be for the better. 

Even with these disadvantages, there is an alternative that can flip these and create positive experiences for everyone. Marina Meijer shares her experiences through a public broadcast. She begins by saying that her parents met while studying abroad in Australia and ended up getting married and moving back to Switzerland, where she was born. There she went to college and moved to the united states to attend graduate school. she then traveled to Korea for an internship where she met her husband who was also abroad for educational purposes. Marina uses her personal story to explain how life changing studying abroad can be (Meijer). She states that, “studying abroad is not really about studying, I think studying abroad is about being abroad, it’s about experiential learning.” This contradicts how the main purpose of studying abroad is to study and earn credits to graduate college, but the new adventures, making new friends, and following your heart are all vital to becoming a happy and successful individual. If studying abroad can contribute to such an important aspect of life, then every student should be part of this program (Meijer 7:30-8:15).

Nicolas Kristof starts his article off by saying that few than one in ten American college students graduate with study-abroad experience. At first this surprised me because I heard so much about study abroad programs my first semester in college but then I realized that all three of my brothers who went to college for at least a year, never studied abroad. Kristof states, “the simple truth is that study abroad is no longer just an excuse for college students to backpack across Europe or relax on foreign beaches; it’s an economic and strategic imperative.” What he means by this is that studying abroad is no longer just to travel to pretty destinations and take cool pictures while enjoying the tasty food. It’s a chance to experience global markets and the competitive American economy. This article includes opinions from a university student, a university professor, and a President of an International Education Institute. The student makes is apparent that for the study abroad programs to be more successful, the programs need to focus on including parents, educators, and employers to be more aware of all of the benefits. He states, “as essential so that students go to college wondering not if they will go abroad but when.” I really like this quote, because it expresses how every college student should study abroad no matter the situation because of the international experiences that boost students’ knowledge. The president agrees that everyone should travel, but points out that not everyone can. Looking back on the extra costs and fees that are not included in the programs, it is difficult for students who come from low socioeconomic status families to afford studying abroad. The professor mentions how she took a gap year before college to volunteer abroad, saying that it was the best decision she ever made. She concludes saying that volunteers returning to campus were not only successful adjusting back to the academic setting, but could incorporate their new experiences in civil service groups and social organizations (Kristof).

This leads me to the next concept when discussing studying abroad. In a blog posting by Daniel Delaney, he states, “don’t study abroad, volunteer or work abroad.” Daniel mentions that the current program at his school specifically began with having the goals under a volunteer and work program. However, that program no longer satisfies its goals. He suggests that just studying abroad does not actually force participation in foreign culture, nor does it properly teach students to speak the language. However, by working and volunteering in a foreign country, the student is surrounded by foreign customs and stepping outside of the box of just studying. Which is the point of studying abroad, but does mean that it is not the only option (Delaney).

To really argue my point about why students should study abroad, I want to include a short summary of someone who has briefly described a day in the life of a study abroad student. Carin Dorghalli explains how she studied abroad in Italy and what it was like. She begins by saying after learning history of a medieval town in Italy, her Italian Hill Towns class would take a field trip to that town. Next after staring at paintings in her art history class, she would have the opportunity to go to Rome and see all the paintings in person. Then after learning to speak Italian, going outside of the classroom and practicing speaking skills by communicating with locals. After a long day, she would go to her Italian Cuisine class and enjoy an Italian family dinner with her classmates, because she learned how to cook pasta, spaghetti, and lasagna, all Italian favorites. Just reading this would convince me to study abroad. While studying abroad the learning experience is just so different than a normal college learning experience. The fact that the images in the textbook were so close that she could just take a field trip to the museum is something a student could never do while studying another foreign country’s culture while not in the country (Dorghalli).

Dorghalli states, “learn without borders” (Dorghalli). Life is a journey and being able to live in a world where there are so many different places with different cultures and languages is incredible. Being able to travel to even one place different then where someone has spent most of their life would be an amazing opportunity, but to be able to do it while achieving something so important like a college degree is wonderful. It is truly remarkable how many languages and cultures there are in this world. I know it is almost impossible for one individual to travel to and experience every single one of these places, but I believe that every college student should try and experience at least one. The experiences and memories will definitely last a lifetime. The benefits outweigh the disadvantages by a milestone when you consider just how amazing life is and how lucky someone would be to study abroad. I knew I wanted to study abroad before, but I was not sure exactly if I would. Now I am almost certain that I will study abroad at least once before I graduate college and hopefully several times. 
