Facts
on Study Abroad
Students
report that study abroad experiences change their lives - opening their eyes to the world. As such, study abroad has been the topic of
much research. In 1988, Hansel surveyed more than 2,500 students and
reported that educational exchange was associated with a variety of
learning outcomes. Students in his survey reported developing bilingual
skills; expanding their knowledge of the host country, its people,
culture, politics, economy, society and role in the world; developing
the capacity to empathize with people from other countries; and gaining
an understanding that the world is one community. Developing such
knowledge, attitudes and beliefs tends to make one less ethnocentric and
more adaptable. Study abroad helps students gain skills in creative and
critical thinking as well as expanding their knowledge of their home
country and culture.
In
addition to the character benefits, study abroad can also be an
excellent addition to your resume. Bikson and Law (1994) found that
employers now put a high value on international skills such as knowledge
of a foreign language and cross-cultural competence. A student that
makes the most of a study abroad experience will certainly enhance these
skills. This means reaching out to people of another culture, and
possibly making mistakes by speaking in a foreign language.
Every
year, the number of students studying abroad increases. In 1999-2000,
over 143,000 students from the U.S. studied abroad, an increase of 10.6%
over the previous year. In 2000-2001, 3,423 of the students who studied
abroad came from the University System of Georgia.
The
most popular region for study abroad continues to be Western Europe,
especially the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy and France. Other popular
non-Western European destinations include Mexico, Australia, Costa Rica,
Israel, Japan and China.
In
this year's catalog, there are 241 programs to 57 countries offered by
colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia. This
represents an increase of 39 programs from those listed in last year's
catalog.
Money
from Federal Financial Aid programs and the HOPE Scholarship may be used
for studying abroad. Many students save money to pay for some or all of
their study abroad programs. There are also some scholarships
available. Study abroad is an investment in your own future.
Not all
programs require fluency in, or even knowledge of, the host country
language, and many programs offer courses in English. Beginning language
learners wishing to learn a language may seek a language immersion
program.
Credits
will usually transfer back to your institution, and many programs offer
resident credit at the home institution. Approval for academic credit
for your study abroad program should be arranged prior to your
departure.
Source:
The University System of Georgia Study Abroad Catalog. For additional
information-
www.usg.edu/oie/catalog/facts.phtml
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