I was preparing for a meeting and decided to give a handout with my top ten reasons to study abroad. Since this is a subject that I love and is close to my heart it was challenging to condense my list to just 10. So this list may grow within other post but for now I will keep to my initial idea with 10 great reasons to study abroad. Here are the first 5 reasons of the initial 10. (the last 5 will soon follow in a later post.)
1. Learn about a new culture first hand.
There are many ways that we can learn about other cultures. We can read books. We can watch movies or television programs. We can read articles, blogs, and other information online. We could also look at pictures on Facebook, Instagram, and talk to others who have traveled. All are good options but there is nothing like being in the place where a culture is lived out each and every day. There is nothing like a first hand experience where you can truly take in a culture through your own five senses.If When you have the opportunity to take a trip and experience another country/ culture for yourself go for it.
2. One of the best ways to learn a language.
We all know that I am a language geek. I have used various ways to learn another language from taking classes in my home country, using books, cds, podcasts, etc. I have participated in language groups to practice with native speakers while I was still in my home country and used Rosetta Stone as well. All were good options but what helped me the most was being immersed in the language that I was learning. Living in the country forced me to live and breath the language that I was learning. It also gave me less of an option to fall back into my comfort zone of my native language. Thus studying abroad was one of the best and most rewarding ways for me to learn a language.
3. Build Your Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity.
Much like learning a language the way to really build your cultural awareness and sensitivity is to step outside of the culture(s) you are used to and venture into other cultures. There are many ways to do this. You can take baby steps and venture into another culture through music or food without even leaving the comfort of your own home You can watch movies and read books to gain knowledge of other cultures but there is something about being in the place of that dish that you made at home or being at a concert in the place where the music you started listening to and fell in love with originated. I remember learning about flamenco dancing as I studied Spanish in high school and being in the Spanish dance in the Nutcracker Ballet as a child but all that I learned came full circle when I was saw flamenco dancing in a show while I was in Spain. It truly brought the dance and the culture to life for me.
4. Experience New Things While Traveling.
If you are traveling to a new place whether it be for study abroad or on vacation that in and of itself will be a new experience. You are experiencing the lay of the land for the first time. Even if you are studying or traveling to a place that you may have been before there are a plenty of ways to experience new things. You could try new restaurants, learn some phrases in the language of the country you are traveling if you don't already know it, or you could go to a cultural event like going to the running of the bulls which I did on my second study abroad experience in Spain or visit the Palace of Versae and having brie cheese and nutella on a french baguette on the lawn with a friend you met during the free walking tour around Paris. (Okay that is what I did :-))
5. Expand Your Network Internationally and Build New Relationships
Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to meet new people as you take classes and explore your new home away from home. From the other students in your class, to your professors, school administrators and those who you meet as you live in your new surroundings. The relationships that you make can help to build your network internationally. I still keep in contact and foster relationships with friends and classmates that I have met overseas. Email and social media has been a great (free) resource to keep in touch.
These are my first 5 reasons to study abroad. Stay tuned for the next 5 reasons to study abroad. Feel free to leave reasons why someone should study abroad. The more reasons to study abroad the better :-).
Hasta el Proximo Vez,
KoMiSa
1. Learn about a new culture first hand.
There are many ways that we can learn about other cultures. We can read books. We can watch movies or television programs. We can read articles, blogs, and other information online. We could also look at pictures on Facebook, Instagram, and talk to others who have traveled. All are good options but there is nothing like being in the place where a culture is lived out each and every day. There is nothing like a first hand experience where you can truly take in a culture through your own five senses.
2. One of the best ways to learn a language.
We all know that I am a language geek. I have used various ways to learn another language from taking classes in my home country, using books, cds, podcasts, etc. I have participated in language groups to practice with native speakers while I was still in my home country and used Rosetta Stone as well. All were good options but what helped me the most was being immersed in the language that I was learning. Living in the country forced me to live and breath the language that I was learning. It also gave me less of an option to fall back into my comfort zone of my native language. Thus studying abroad was one of the best and most rewarding ways for me to learn a language.
3. Build Your Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity.
Much like learning a language the way to really build your cultural awareness and sensitivity is to step outside of the culture(s) you are used to and venture into other cultures. There are many ways to do this. You can take baby steps and venture into another culture through music or food without even leaving the comfort of your own home You can watch movies and read books to gain knowledge of other cultures but there is something about being in the place of that dish that you made at home or being at a concert in the place where the music you started listening to and fell in love with originated. I remember learning about flamenco dancing as I studied Spanish in high school and being in the Spanish dance in the Nutcracker Ballet as a child but all that I learned came full circle when I was saw flamenco dancing in a show while I was in Spain. It truly brought the dance and the culture to life for me.
4. Experience New Things While Traveling.
If you are traveling to a new place whether it be for study abroad or on vacation that in and of itself will be a new experience. You are experiencing the lay of the land for the first time. Even if you are studying or traveling to a place that you may have been before there are a plenty of ways to experience new things. You could try new restaurants, learn some phrases in the language of the country you are traveling if you don't already know it, or you could go to a cultural event like going to the running of the bulls which I did on my second study abroad experience in Spain or visit the Palace of Versae and having brie cheese and nutella on a french baguette on the lawn with a friend you met during the free walking tour around Paris. (Okay that is what I did :-))
View from the Palace of Versae |
One of the Fountain at the Palace of Versae |
5. Expand Your Network Internationally and Build New Relationships
Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to meet new people as you take classes and explore your new home away from home. From the other students in your class, to your professors, school administrators and those who you meet as you live in your new surroundings. The relationships that you make can help to build your network internationally. I still keep in contact and foster relationships with friends and classmates that I have met overseas. Email and social media has been a great (free) resource to keep in touch.
These are my first 5 reasons to study abroad. Stay tuned for the next 5 reasons to study abroad. Feel free to leave reasons why someone should study abroad. The more reasons to study abroad the better :-).
Hasta el Proximo Vez,
KoMiSa