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Studying Abroad

Studying Abroad. By: Kelly Freeman.

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Studying Abroad

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  1. Studying Abroad By: Kelly Freeman

  2. 1. Study abroad is the optimal way to learn a language. There is no better and more effective way to learn a language than to be immersed in a culture that speaks the language you are learning. You're surrounded by the language on a daily basis and are seeing and hearing it in the proper cultural context. Language learning happens most quickly under these circumstances. 2. Study abroad provides the opportunity to travel. Weekends and academic breaks allow you to venture out and explore your surroundings - both your immediate and more distant surroundings. 3. Study abroad allows you get to know another culture first-hand. Cultural differences are more than just differences in language, food, appearances, and personal habits. A person's culture reflects very deep perceptions, beliefs, and values that influence his or her way of life and the way that s/he views the world 10 reasons why you should study in a foreign country

  3. 4. Study abroad will help you develop skills and give you experiences a classroom setting will never provide. It's an opportunity to discover new strengths and abilities, conquer new challenges, and solve new problems. You will encounter situations that are wholly unfamiliar to you and will learn to adapt and respond in effective ways. 5. Study abroad affords you the opportunity to make friends around the world. While abroad, you will meet not only natives to the culture in which you are studying, but also other international students who are as far from home as yourself. 6. Study abroad helps you to learn about yourself. Students who study abroad return home with new ideas and perspectives about themselves and their own culture. The encounter with other cultures enables students to see their own culture through new eyes. 7. Study abroad expands your worldview. In comparison with citizens of most other countries, Americans tend to be uninformed about the world beyond the nation's boundaries. Students who study abroad return home with an informed and much less biased perspective toward other cultures and peoples. Top 10 Continued

  4. Top 10 Continued 8. Study abroad gives you the opportunity to break out of your academic routine. Study abroad is likely to be much unlike what you are used to doing as a student. You may become familiar with an entirely new academic system and you will have the chance to take courses not offered on your home campus. 9. Study abroad enhances employment opportunities. Did you know that only 4% of U.S. undergraduates ever study abroad? Yet, the world continues to become more globalized, American countries are increasingly investing dollars abroad, and companies from countries around the world continue to invest in the international market. Your experience living and studying in a foreign country, negotiating another culture, and acquiring another language will all set you apart from the majority of other job applicants. 10. Study abroad can enhance the value of your degree. While abroad, you can take courses you would never have had the opportunity to take on your home campus. In addition, study abroad gives your language skills such a boost that it is normally quite easy to add a minor in a language or even a second major without having to take many more additional courses after the return to your home campus.

  5. U.S. Students studying abroad • • In 2003/04, about 191,000 American students studied abroad in foreign countries. Ten years ago, approximately 76,000 took part in such programs abroad. That represents a 250% increase in study abroad participation over the last decade. • • Several students study in English-speaking countries, with the UK (32,000 students) and Australia (11,500 students) landing in the top 10 study abroad destinations. Italy and Spain and Italy are nearly tied at spots #2 and #3, each with about 60% of the students that study in the United Kingdom each year. • • Around 40% of students go abroad during their junior year. That means that 60% go abroad at some other time during their studies. • • More women study abroad than men. About 65% of participants each year are female, 35% male. • • The majority of study abroad participants choose to study abroad for one semester (38%) or during a summer term (37%). Only 6% of those studying abroad go for a whole academic year, down from 14% ten years ago. • • Only 7.5% of students studying abroad are foreign language majors. A greater number of students have majors in social sciences, business fields, humanities, and arts.

  6. International students studying in the US • Over 565,000 international students were enrolled in U.S. universities and colleges in 2004/05. • The number of international students in U.S. higher education has leveled off in recent years due to a number of factors, including the obstacles to obtaining student visas since 9/11 and the rising cost of tuition in the United States. • • Nearly half of all U.S. international students come from one of 5 countries: India, China, Korea, Japan, and Canada. Students from Asia make up 58% of the enrolled international students in the U.S. • • In 2004/05, international students spent $13.3 billion in the U.S., most of which derived from sources outside of the U.S. • • The University of Southern California enrolls more international students each year than any other U.S. university. In 2004/05, over 6800 students from other countries studied at USC. • • The 5 U.S. states that attract the most international students, in descending order, are California, New York, Texas, Massachusetts, and Florida. The foreign students in these states make up about 42% of all international students in the United States. • • The most popular fields of study for students from abroad are in business fields, engineering, mathematics, and computer science. These account for over 43% of declared majors of international students.

  7. Popular Places Several countries in Europe remain top destinations for students choosing to study abroad. Over 60% of students participate in programs in European countries. Latin American countries are the destination of about 15% of U.S. study abroad students each year. While only 7% of students opt to study in Asia, those numbers are on the rise. In the 2003/04 academic year, China, Cuba, New Zealand, South Africa, Russia, and also Italy experienced double-digit gains in percentages of students choosing to study there over the previous year.

  8. How do I choose a program? If you are already enrolled at a college or university, the best place to start is at your campus study abroad office. You can see which programs your school offers and what requirements or prerequisites there are. Choosing a program run by your institution is the best guarantee for receiving credit for your experience abroad.To choose a program that fits you, you should decide what goals you have for the trip. For example, if you would like to learn a language, then you should not choose a program in which the courses are taught in your native language or in which you spend most of your time with people from your own country. If you looking for an opportunity to travel, then you should find a program in a central location with public transportation and plenty time off to travel.You should check and find out how the program offered would apply toward your degree, and if it relates to your major. Does the program give you the opportunity to take courses you might not otherwise have the opportunity to take at home?

  9. Where should I study abroad? Deciding where to study is just as important as choosing a study abroad program, and it depends on very personal factors. Different factors are important to different people. If closely integrating the experience with your degree is important to you, then you should consider a location that offers courses in your major and has natural affinities to your major that will afford you experiences in your field of interest outside the classroom, too. If there is a language that especially interests you for either personal or professional reasons, that can help narrow down the choice of countries. Or perhaps you just want to get to know your cultural heritage. The majority of U.S. students choose to study in a European country -- in part because those programs are so well-established. But there are great advantages to taking the path less traveled. Developing nations are playing an increasing role in the global economy and an extended stay in one can really pop out on a resume. However, any study abroad experience is a plus in your search for employment.Also remember that while large cities offer numerous social and intellectual opportunities, they are also more cosmopolitan. Your extracurricular options may seem more limited in a smaller town, but it's there that you will gain more of an appreciation of traditional ways of life and make connections with the natives.

  10. When should I study abroad? Though students have traditionally studied abroad during their junior year, it is increasingly possible to go abroad at just about any time during your studies. When you go is also dependent upon personal factors. If you need to be on campus later in your studies to take hard-core advanced courses in your major, for example, then it may be most convenient for you to go abroad in your sophomore year. If you intend to become fluent in a language while abroad, then it is important to have enough language instruction before you leave to provide a springboard for that development. If you don't yet have a major and it is early in your studies, going abroad is a great way to discover new interests.

  11. How long should I study abroad? Studies show unequivocally that the longer your stay, the more personal, academic, and professional benefits you will reap from the experience. An academic year or a semester abroad allow the kind of cultural immersion that have the deepest impact in terms of personal growth, academic value, and career preparation. Summer programs exist in varied lengths and will not interfere with the schedule of the traditional academic year.Make sure you explore all of your options, however, before you rule out a semester or year abroad. Financial aid may be available, and you may find that you can take courses while abroad that will help you make academic progress toward your degree.

  12. What features of a program are important to look for? • The program is at least a semester in length. • There is a well-developed pre-departure orientation and in-country support to help you adjust to living and studying abroad. • The program gives you the opportunity to interact extensively with natives both in and outside of school. Housing with a host family can be ideal.• If you are in a non-English- speaking country, a good program will provide you with intensive language instruction before and during your stay.• Instruction in other courses is in the native language, and not in English.• There is ample opportunity to participate in field trips and other cultural activities outside the classroom.• Good programs allow you know without a doubt before you leave whether and for which courses you will be able to transfer academic credits to your home institution.• Good programs provide opportunities to contact former and current participants to allow you to ask questions and get first-hand answers.

  13. Scholarships & grants for study abroad There are a multitude of scholarships for study abroad. In addition to those listed below for study of various languages abroad or for study of a particular language or in a particular country, there are also many more scholarships attached to particular abroad programs or are awarded to students enrolled at particular universities. Make sure you explore financial aid options specific to whatever study abroad program you choose. Apart from these opportunities, you should check with the government of the country where you intend to study -- Contact either an embassy or consular office or the country's department of education. Many countries offer financial support to international students to make study in their country a more attractive and feasible option.

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