Performing lines from acbeth on the stage of Shakespeare's Globe Theater. Eating gelato beside the Trevi Fountain. Riding a donkey up the side of a cliff in Greece. Swimming in the Mediterranean. Climbing up the stairs of the Eiffel Tower - all in the course of a semester. No big deal.
I just returned from a semester abroad in Lyon, France. And not only did I get to explore foreign lands and eat delicious cheese, but I gained cultural insight that only studying abroad can provide. Such an experience is extremely valuable for University students, and it is one that all students should take advantage of despite their chosen major or language abilities.
For five months, I was completely immersed in a new culture. I ate Lyonnais food, I learned to navigate the French railroad system (not an easy feat), and I took classes at a French university, along with the locals. I never would have gained such extensive cultural knowledge without this semester in France, no matter how many French culture classes I took here at the University.
Because I lived with a French family, I got a first-hand look at French culture. I not only learned more about French politics, but citizens' reactions to political figures and new legislation, as well. I saw strikes and dealt with French bureaucracies (no worse than they are in America, by the way). I began to adopt a stress-free attitude that comes along with two-hour lunch breaks and work-free Sundays. I learned to value market-fresh produce and enjoy French wines. I learned what I love (peanut butter) and don't love (Velveeta) about America. I came back with a new outlook on what it is to be a citizen of the world. As Shiree Craft, a peer advisor for the International Studies Office (ISO), put it, "Living in a foreign country really heightened my level of patience with myself and also gave me the opportunity to fine-tune my language skills. Now that I've returned home, I have a whole new perspective as far as diversity among cultures and effective communication are concerned, something that I hope will prove beneficial for me throughout my life."
And the best part? Anyone can do it. Your major doesn't matter. Your language level doesn't matter. There is a program for everyone who wants to do something. You don't speak a language other than English? Why not go to Australia or England for the semester. There are even programs in Greece, South America and all over Europe that have no language requirement. Scared you can't afford to skip out on Comm requirements for a semester? The Commerce School has paired up with 12 institutions to assure that you can study abroad and still complete your required curriculum. But wait, you're in the Engineering School? There are programs in Hong Kong, Brazil, Germany and other locations across the globe, just for Engineering students. But students aren't limited to just University programs. The Study Abroad Library in Minor Hall is full of information about hundreds of University programs abroad and outside programs as well. It's not hard to find a program that suits all of your needs with just a little bit of searching.
Okay, so now you've found a program that fits your academic needs, but what about your budget? Most of the University exchange programs require students to pay the same tuition they normally would to the University, with extra costs coming from different costs of living abroad. Other programs available are, indeed, more expensive than a regular semester at the University. But these extra costs can easily be made up through thousands of dollars available for study abroad scholarships. The ISO Web site has an extensive list of possible scholarships, and links to websites devoted to outside funding.
There's no doubt that study abroad takes a lot of thought and planning, and you do have to start early. But the ISO has tons of resources for this. Specific advisors for every region of the world are extremely helpful, and peer advisors can provide you with inside information on specific programs. The Study Abroad Library has endless amounts of brochures and binders about many of the programs available, and its website has a great search feature that sorts programs based on criteria such as language requirement, area of study and academic structure. With a little bit of work and research, going abroad is accessible to every student.
Just think about it: vacationing on the Greek isle, Irish pub crawls, exploring foreign lands for five months with great friends. How can you say no?
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