Research on Benefits of Studying Abroad in College

Studying Abroad

The years students spend in college are some of the most influential years of their lives. During these years, students gain exposure to new ways of life that they have not experienced before. Research shows that students who study abroad benefit from the experience academically, mentally, and socially. The challenges of today's fast paced, culturally diverse world make it beneficial for students to study abroad.

Students who take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad are for more prepared for the challenges and demands facing them throughout their lives (National Association of International Educators). It is important that college programs prepare students to enter the workforce with international business exposure. There are courses at most schools that teach international business and customs, however, these textbook based courses are no substitute for the experience of living and studying abroad for a semester or two.

Globalization refers to the establishment of worldwide operations and the development and implementation of a standardized product or service. Companies choose to go global for different reasons; primarily, business expansion and keeping up with competitors in the market. International ventures are much more complex than domestic markets meaning that managers must place a stronger emphasis on strategic planning when expanding internationally.

When considering globalization, students entering the workforce must take into consideration the cultural differences and be prepared to be sensitive to those differences. This includes being sensitive to the needs of each culture in which a company plans to do business on a business, organizational, and people focused strategic level. Through studying abroad, students will become familiarized with other cultures and learn how to relate to those cultural norms in a professional, non-offensive manner. Gestures considered "normal" in the United States may be offensive in Japan, for example.

Students who study abroad often develop and demonstrate a new level of maturity on a personal level as well as intellectually. They gain exposure to different types of culture and language, different ways of living and different accepted norms, which each contribute to growth, independence, and the general knowledge and understanding that international cultures operate differently than here in the United States (Education Dynamics, LLC). This understanding facilitates the mindset of greater acceptance and insight into international business including but not limited to political issues, globalization, commerce, and trading.

In today's economy, it is further beneficial for students studying abroad to obtain the exposure to how economical systems work in other countries and how they may affect the United States' economical situation. Furthermore, studying abroad provides economic benefits to both the host country and the student's home country. The host country benefits by receiving tuition funds and monies associated with room and board while the home country benefits by the student gaining knowledge and hands-on expertise of international culture and then returning and applying that experience to the United States workforce.

Research shows that potential employers look favorably at applicants who have studied abroad at some point during their schooling. Research also shows that there are three desired criteria sought in potential employees by globalized companies (Orahood, Pearson and Kruze). These include intellectual ability, motivation, and interpersonal skills. Intellectual ability refers to the employee's ability to learn, apply what he or she has learned, and make educated decisions. Motivation is the ability to stay encouraged as well as encourage others to do a good job and work as a team. Thirdly, interpersonal skills include the ability to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues, resolve conflict, and show respect for others.

The majority of students, fifty-seven percent, that choose to study abroad do so in Europe (Marklein). Other countries include Asia, Africa, South Africa, China, Argentina, Ecuador, and India. "The most common fields of study include social sciences (21.4%), business and management (19.1%), and humanities (13.2%). Students studying foreign languages represented 7.2% of the total" (2008). These percentages demonstrate the fact that students are likely encouraged by academic advisors to study social sciences, business and management, and humanities in order to make their resume more marketable to future employers.

Some colleges, such as Goucher College in Maryland, require all new students to study abroad for some period during their college career. "The United States cannot conduct itself effectively in a competitive international environment when our most educated citizens lack minimal exposure to, and understanding of, the world beyond U.S. borders," reported The Christian Science Monitor. Again, this emphasizes the fact that students are entering into a workplace that requires culturally aware candidates that have firsthand experience of international studies.

Eastern University employs a study abroad program that includes airfare, tuition, room and board, spending money, passport and visa fees, which costs less than a semester at college. Available areas to travel to with their program include Australia, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, or the United Kingdom (2010). Studying abroad allows students to experience social interaction that they would not get otherwise. The opportunity to meet foreigners that are actually living in their own country is an incredible experience. It's the adventure of it all," stated Josh Irons during a discussion with the media regarding their study abroad programs.

"President Obama announced plans last month to "dramatically expand" to 100,000 the number of U.S. students who study in China over the next four years, calling such exchanges "a clear commitment to build ties among our people in the steady pursuit of cooperation that will serve our nations, and the world" (Marklein, 2009). Studying abroad not only benefits students and employers, but also our country, as it creates a relationship with our allies and encourages cooperation between countries.

It is important to point out the fact that the United States also hosts study abroad programs for other countries and is benefited by the international students who come here to study, as well. In 2007, a record was broken as ten million students in China took a college entrace exam in hopes of studying abroad, in America. Many international students afford their college tuition in the United States through sports recruitment. Some colleges recruit international students for sports programs, primarily tennis and soccer. Soccer in the United States is often referred to as Europen Football as it originated in Europe. Here, the college benefits by accomodating the student into the sports and academic program, while the student benefits from a scholarship.

Aside from all of the obvious academic reasons for a student to study abroad, there are also the luxurious benefits to consider. Students who study abroad get the opportunity to travel overseas, some of whom have never even been out of their home state or on an airplane before. It provides the student the opportunity to learn a second language. It allows the opportunity to make friends with individuals from other rcultures and network, learning about their country while at the same time, teaching them about the United States. Lastly but not least, study abroad programs provide students with experiences that are far beyond what can ever be learned within the realm of a classroom or textbook, that will make them more well rounded and benefit them through their entire life.

Studying abroad is a wonderful opportunity for students who are able to participate. Tuition is usually able to be included in student loans or covered by scholarships and is often cheaper than a semester at the home college. Students sometimes are matched up with other students through what is called an exchange program, staying with a host family during the study period and then the new classmate returning home with them to study and be hosted as well for a semester. Studying abroad can take place in many different countries, and for different lengths of time depending on cost and need. It provides benefits to students, families, schools, and communities. Students gain an academic, mental, and social experience that prepares them for our culturally diverse world.

Works Cited

Bartolucci, Cassie. "Eastern's study abroad program benefits students." The Daily Eastern News.

Deresky, Helen. International management. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Education Dynamics, LLC. Study Abroad.

Marklein, Mary Beth. "Chinese college students flocking to U.S. campuses ." USA Today

Marklein, Mary Beth. "Record number of U.S. students study abroad, in diverse locations." USA Today.

National Association of International Educators. Public Policy Benefits of Study Abroad.

Orahood, Tammy, Denise Pearson and Larisa Kruze. "The Impact of Study Abroad on Business Students' Career Goals." Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad (n.d.): 117-130.