 "Photo: Sam Grenadier")
A study by NAFSA: Association of International Educators for the 2006-2007 academic year showed fewer than 1 percent of university students in the United States took advantage of study abroad opportunities.
Still, students like Catherine Brashear who have participated in study abroad programs say the experience is unforgettable.
Brashear, a junior pre-nursing major from Mesquite, spent her spring semester studying Spanish at the Texas Tech center in Seville, Spain. She said being immersed in the culture for a full semester was the best way for her to learn.
“I learned a lot about different cultures — just how we’re alike and similar in different ways,” Brashear said. “It’s just kind of an eye-opening experience.”
Brashear said the things she enjoyed most were spending time with her host family and experiencing Spanish culture on a daily basis.
“Every morning I would have to wake up and think, ‘OK turn on Spanish mode,’” Brashear said.
Elizabeth McDaniel, a study abroad adviser and coordinator for the Tech center in Quedlinburg, Germany, said the reaction of students returning from time abroad is unanimously positive.
“I think every student I’ve ever talked to that comes back has said, ‘It changed my life,’” McDaniel said. “They don’t know necessarily know how it changed their life. They just know that they’re different from the way that they were before they went.”
She said she believes many students have misconceptions about studying abroad. She said financial concerns, timing and fear of getting behind on coursework are a few reasons students may not consider studying abroad.
“We try to select programs that are as cost effective as possible,” McDaniel said, “and we feel like we offer a full range of programs from those that are essentially the same as being here on campus up to very, very expensive programs, so that students have a wide range to choose from.”
McDaniel said going abroad as a student is a once in a lifetime opportunity that should be taken advantage of. She said any length of time spent in another country is a valuable experience.
“Most people don’t have the option later in life to you know say, ‘I think I’ll go spend four months in Italy,’” McDaniel said. “So to be able to get financial aide to go, to be able to have the time that you’re there count for academic credit makes it a much more viable program to do than to just go on your own.”
McDaniel said despite pre-departure orientation sessions and preparation for traveling abroad, many students cannot comprehend what their experience will be like before they arrive in their country of choice.
“It’s about being a part of the culture,” McDaniel said. “Not just traveling through a place, but really living in a place, and seeing the culture from a resident point of view, rather than a tourist point of view.
McDaniel said students who study abroad gain a more global perspective.
“(Students realize) the way the U.S. looks at the world and the way the world looks at the U.S. are not necessarily the same thing,” McDaniel said, ”and that there are different ways to do things — to solve some of the problems that the world is facing, and the U.S. doesn’t necessarily have all the answers.”
Brashear agreed spending time in Spain changed the way she now views current events.
“I think about over there whenever I watch the news here or read political articles,” Brashear said. “I think about how they talked about that on the news there and how it was different. It’s not just black and white.”
McDaniel said students who want to study abroad can choose from a variety of courses to fulfill foreign language requirements or classes for their major. She said advisers work with students to make sure the classes they take abroad will fulfill Tech requirements.
Greg Pavur, a sophomore fish and wildlife management major from Denton, said he is considering a study abroad program to further his knowledge of wildlife management.
“I’m interested in seeing the types of wildlife and the rainforests over in different countries,” Pavur said, “just getting a diverse study of wildlife — how they manage their lands and wildlife over there compared to us.”
Brashear said she hopes her experience in Spain will benefit her in the future as she pursues further education and a career.
“I’m applying to nursing school and I hear it’s really hard to get in,” Brashear said. “So, I’m hoping (study abroad) will be one thing to set me apart.”
McDaniel said study abroad is a great way for students to show their ability to overcome difficult situations. She said this gives students an edge when applying for jobs or graduate programs.
“A typical interview question for a job application or for grad school would be, you know, ‘Tell me about something challenging you’ve done,’” McDaniel said. “Well, study abroad is the perfect thing to be able to take those experiences that you’ve had and show how it was challenging and the steps you took to meet that challenge.”
McDaniel said the International Cultural Center provides opportunities for students who have already been abroad to keep their experience alive through workshops and guest speakers.
“We try to help students realize that they can keep going,” McDaniel said, “that their experience has opened doors for them.”
For students interested in pursuing a study abroad program, the first step is to attend an informational meeting held at 4 p.m. daily at the International Cultural Center.
“Do it. Go. Don’t hesitate to go,” Brashear said. “Don’t be afraid of studying abroad. Just take advantage of every opportunity you have while you’re there.”
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