Leaving the Cultural Nest: Why Studying Abroad is Good For Your Life

By Patrick Collins

We tend to think of studying abroad as just another option; one program out there among many for students. And on the surface it's just that: a potential experience we can partake in if personally interested, but not deserving of much thought otherwise. Studying abroad is certainly not mandatory (though a decent argument could be made for its inclusion in many undergraduate and graduate programs), but given its exceedingly low participation rate in the U.S. one might wonder if it's even given proper consideration as an excellent opportunity for growth and learning on most college campuses.

Students in the U.S. have admittedly been studying abroad in record numbers lately. In fact, the number of college students who studied abroad during the '06-'07 academic year was 150% higher than a decade earlier. But the largest group of students who go for an experience abroad do so for eight weeks or less; hardly enough time to get anything beyond a superficial feel for a new culture. And recent increases notwithstanding, the rate of participation remains dismal: research suggests that only between two and three percent of all U.S. students study abroad at some point during their academic careers.

So why does the chance to experience something as new and stimulating as a foreign culture while working towards graduation and acquiring valuable personal experience - perhaps even learning a new language - get lost on most U.S. students?

Is it the expense? Perhaps. But all things considered, the only truly unavoidable extra cost involved in studying abroad boils down to a plane ticket. Yes; the dollar is weaker compared to just a few years ago. Yes; many countries have a higher cost of living than the U.S. And yes; universities usually raise tuition for foreign students. However, with ample availability of financial aid and scholarships (many of which are specifically awarded to study abroad students), the high number of college students that don't seem to have a problem with incurring extra costs by studying away from their homes and their home states, and the fact that at best only three in 100 students choose to study outside the U.S., the money excuse somehow just doesn't seem to explain it. More likely, what lies at the heart of American students' disinterest in studying abroad is an ideological, not a financial, limitation.

Studying abroad is simply not part of the culture among U.S. college students, just as traveling abroad is not all that common among U.S. citizens in general (it's believed that more than 70% of Americans don't own a passport). This is because among prosperous nations, the United States represents one of the most insular of societies. And while love and appreciation for one's country is one thing, it's quite another to fail to acknowledge the undeniable benefits of getting out of one's limited cultural confines, experiencing something that's never been encountered before, learning to adapt to changing circumstances, and expanding one's understanding of self, the world and life itself in the process.

What can study abroad do for me?
As students we owe it to ourselves to take a few moments out of our hectic schedules and really consider the opportunities studying abroad presents us with. Because let's face it: once we're done with our studies we won't be so lucky as to have the experience of living and learning in a new culture handed to us on a silver platter. Traveling and living abroad will certainly be possible, but in all likelihood it won't be nearly as easy as it is now. (If you disagree, take a walk over to your study abroad office and see how many programs in how many countries are all set up and eagerly awaiting your participation.)

First of all, a study abroad experience promises to enhance our academic career. Traveling to a new country with the explicit intention of furthering our education has the proven potential to spark renewed interest in our studies and discover new directions and passions. By widening our circle of experience beyond our home school, we become involved in a more dynamic learning experience and open ourselves to a wider set of influences and possibilities. If we choose to study in a country with a foreign language, our educational experience will be enriched even further.

Secondly, studying abroad is good for our future employment potential. The fact that we displayed enough motivation and courage to leave behind the unfamiliar and face the unknown already speaks volumes on its own. Putting it this way may seem like exaggerated glorification, but the fact is most people never end up summoning the nerve to venture beyond familiar boundaries - or worse, never even consider the possibility. Those who rise to the challenge, without a doubt, stand out and generate interest among employers.

Thirdly, time spent abroad (the more the better) will help us gain a clearer understanding of our own cultural approach as well as a respect for alternate approaches to life. Only the direct experience of living in a foreign culture, where mindsets and lifestyles differ from those in our native environment, can lead to the full appreciation that no country or culture has the final word on the "right way to be." This realization helps us see that every culture has something valuable and worthwhile to offer (as well as its negative aspects), putting us on equal footing with people from backgrounds different than our own and improving our ability to communicate and exchange ideas and sentiments with them.

Finally, studying abroad offers its most valuable benefit by providing us with an opportunity to engage in real personal development. As hinted at in the preceding paragraph, living in a new culture will invariably change the way we see the world, expanding our awareness in ways unachievable when we choose not to venture beyond our familiar cultural nest. Time abroad results in added maturity, understanding and tolerance. It affords us greater insight into our world and, ultimately, ourselves. These benefits are truly priceless and remain with us for a lifetime.

Author Bio
Patrick Collins works for UniSpain, a Spain-based language course booking agency that offers discounted rates on Spanish courses at universities and language schools throughout Spain.

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