Monday, June 19, 2006

STUDY Abroad FAQ's

1. Why should I study abroad?
• Increased earning potential and resume building material!
What could possibly look better on a resume than to boast that you interned with a German fashion designer, or studied marine biology on the coast of Australia(study in Australia) ? In today's global economy, study abroad can be a defining element to every student's undergraduate degree. Many companies increasingly desire leaders with the ability to live successfully in a variety of countries and work with co-workers of varying cultural backgrounds.
Studying abroad is a life-altering experience!
Studying and living in a different culture will help you see the world from a completely different perspective. It is an amazing experience that will change your life.
• You won't have to read the subtitles at foreign films!
• It's a chance to gain perspective on your own culture and become a more well-rounded world citizen!
Studying abroad is a chance to step outside of the ordinary and look at life from a completely new perspective. Many students return amazed that while studying abroad they learned just as much about the United States and its culture as they did about life in their host country.
• Make friends, connections and memories that can last a lifetime!

• To enhance your education.
Study abroad adds a new perspective to your studies. You will see things from another point of view, which will help you to develop your analytical and critical thinking skills.
• To build your resume.
In an age of global economies and information super-highways, experience abroad distinguishes your background from the rest.
• To develop your self-awareness.
We sometimes impose limitations on ourselves that limit our progress toward our goals. By leaving the familiar behind to encounter different people and places we gain a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
• To understand another culture.
Living and learning in another culture in the midst of the unfamiliar adds to our understanding of the variety of cultures in our world and gives us a maturity and perspective which can be gained in no other way.

2. Can I study abroad for just one semester?
Yes, there are semester and options for many programs, altough we always encourage students to GO FOR THE YEAR! There are also a LIMITED number of summer prorgrams. Staying for a year is the ONLY way to really understand the host culture and aclimate yourself the the surroundings. If you are studying in a non-English speaking country it is imperative for language competency to stay for a year.
3. Do I have to speak the language of the country I am going to?
NO! You don't have to speak a foreign language to do it! Many of our programs don't require any foreign language! This doesn't limit students to the United Kingdom( STUDY IN UK ), Australia (STUDY IN AUS) New Zealand and Canada ! Many non-English speaking countries offer coursework in English! You could study in Belgium, China, Denmark, France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sweden and Taiwan with little (one semester) to no prior language experience!

STUDY ABROAD MYTHS

A STUDENT MUST KNOW A SECOND LANGUAGE:

Not Necessarily. In fact, three of our current cooperative programs in non English speaking countries offer all their course work in English….England, Ireland, as well as South Africa.

A STUDENT MUST HAVE THE KEYS TO FORT KNOX IN ORDER TO GO.

NO! If a student is accepted into cooperative program, in most cases students will have access to their institutional aid and always have access to their federal aid.

A STUDENT MUST HAVE THE GENIUS OF EINTSTEIN IN ORDER TO GO.

NO! To be eligible to apply students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, not Einstein simply solid academics.

STUDY ABROAD IS ONLY USEFUL TO STUDENTS WHO ARE ROMANCE LANGUAGE OR ENGLISH LITERATURE MAJORS.

DEFINITELY NOT! Study abroad is applicable for students from all disciplines. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent it will become a necessity to be able to work effectively from one culture to another simply to remain economically competitive.