#9. Consider Studying Abroad
A Plant Biology major. Two Journalism majors. A History Pre-Law major. An Integrated Math Education major. A graduate of the Global Leadership Center. On the surface, you would never guess that the seven majors have anything in common besides their enrollment at Ohio University. The one reoccurring thread is that they all have had the opportunity to study abroad and experience new cultures all across the world.
Experience a Whole New World
According to Krista Baddour, a Peer Adviser at the Office of Education Abroad at OU, a number of students decide to study abroad. The latest numbers show that approximately 1,000 students study abroad each year—with the most popular quarter being the summer. While a majority of students do study in Europe, students have traveled all corners of the Earth.
Baddour also noted that regardless of the major or desired location, OU offers programs that directly relate to what the students are studying. For example, there are European business classes or health care lectures in the developing world. The difference is that students are able to have a more hands on experience while abroad than what they might experience in the typical lecture hall.
Baddour herself studied abroad in Merida, Mexico last winter through the OU study abroad program and said, “I think that it is an opportunity that every student should take advantage of. It is the best thing I have ever done in my career as a student and in my life and the experience has greatly impacted and altered my life forever.” She’s not alone in her sheer enthusiasm and passion about the study abroad program.
Endless Options
Senior Journalism major Megan Leonhardt said her six-month experience in Denmark in Fall 2008 left her itching for more. As an elementary school student, Leonhardt’s yearning to study abroad began when she received the peer-to-peer mailings. Leonhardt’s mother wasn’t keen on her going at such a young age, so she waited patiently until her sophomore year of college. Leonhardt chose Denmark and the Danish Exchange Program based on three factors: price (the Danish Foreign Exchange program has free tuition), country--Leonhardt had not traveled to Denmark prior to my foreign exchange, and language—so she could get by in the country without major language issues.
Junior Plant Biology major Kaitlin Hillier also chose Australia last fall for her study abroad experience based on language and course offerings. The Australearn program Hillier chose pairs students with other Ohio University students and has a three-day introduction to the country. Hillier also felt the urge to study abroad in high school-- speaking with friends who went abroad also piqued her interest even more.
Junior History Pre-Law major Audra Smith was set on immersing herself in European culture and decided visiting as a student through a study abroad program was the best choice. Smith is also studying German, so she chose Salzburg, Austria, because it was one of the two German programs that Ohio University offered. I utilized a program provided by OU,” she said. “I knew the transferring of credits would be a lot less painful.”
Limitless Benefits
Baddour also mentioned the abudance of opportunities and benefits to studying abroad. Not only do students have the opportunity to enrich their academic experience while earning course credit, but they are also able to do so in a hands-on environment. Moreover, students are able to become more independent and meet people from varying cultures. While some students do choose to earn credit in an English speaking country, students like Smith and Baddour do choose programs that allow them to sharpen their language skills and work toward a language requirement.
In addition, being able to study abroad is an opportunity to stand out from the crowd with future employers. Senior Tatum Risch who studied abroad in Thailand and England through the GLC and Education Abroad programs said, “Interviewers LOVE hearing about study abroad experiences. It shows them you are independent and can survive on your own in an environment you were not previously familiar with.”
Junior Integrated Math Education major Jenna Valentine agreed wholeheartedly. During her trip last summer to Italy, she was able to learn how to make gelato and play bocci. Even though Valentine openly admits to expecting the “worst homesickness of my life,” she admits to not being homesick at all. In fact, Valentine said the hardest thing she experienced was ending her trip and leaving Italy.
The biggest myth surrounding studying abroad, according to the Office of Education Abroad is the dent it will leave in your pocket. Admittedly, some programs ARE more expensive than others—but Baddour reassuringly stated that students who select Ohio University programs are able to use all of their financial aid (including scholarships!). If you are still coming up short, there are also specific grants and scholarships for study abroad funding that are based on financial need and merit. In addition to these scholarships, there are other funding resources that students can find on the Education Abroad website under “Funding.”
Junior Journalism major Caitlin Ash studied abroad in Merida, Mexico this past winter and said the costs were well worth it. “The money situation shouldn’t discourage you at all though,” Ash said. “It will change your life.”
Almost Convinced
Unfortunately, I’ve never had the opportunity to study abroad—you could call it a “long term” bucket list item of mine. As my time at OU is slowly coming to an end, I thought I simply had too many commitments to take a quarter off before graduation. However, after speaking with seven Bobcats who have studied abroad and the Office of Education Abroad at Ohio University—I’m seriously considering studying abroad the summer after I graduate. While it would certainly be a courageous leap for this Scaredy Cat, the pictures below are enough to make anyone a traveling Bobcat!
What are the steps to studying abroad?
* Search through programs either by term, destination or type of experience (exchange program, volunteer, intern abroad or work) you’re interested in.
* Online applications are available on the website’s main page as well as a calendar of upcoming events and announcements.
* Visit the Education Abroad office during their walk-in advising hours Monday through Friday 1-4 p.m.
* Make an appointment with a Peer Adviser, like Baddour, who can answer questions and guide students throughout the application process.
Mak
Mak,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post! I definitely agree that studying abroad is something everyone at OU should at least look into while they're here.
I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Paris, France this past winter intercession. It was such an amazing experience, and would've definitely been something I would've regretted not participating in.
The reason I chose the winter intercession program was because I knew I wouldn't have been able to dedicate a whole quarter or summer to a study abroad experience, so this was a great alternative.
Even though it was only a week-long trip, I was still able to gain the credit hours I needed and an unforgettable experience.
Great post Mak!
- Julie