Study Abroad: Learn
Educational Aspects of Study Abroad |
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Rural Siberia may not be the first destination that comes to mind as you contemplate study abroad, but Erin, an anthropology student from Macalester, found it a rich environment for studying the material culture of Soviet Russia (read an interview with her at StudentSoul.org).
Study Abroad, in the first instance, is about learning.
It’s a 24-hour a day lab experience. You will have the opportunity to learn a new culture, and new ways of viewing higher education. But it’s more than that: study abroad is a formal academic program (although how formal varies widely).
As such, study abroad is generally limited to current students—those in a program, expecting to graduate in the next few years, and expecting the term abroad to have at least some academic relevance. In other words, this is not tourism. It’s education.
That minimal requirement aside, the sky is nearly the limit for what you can do. General categories of study abroad include:
Language and Culture
Language learning is probably the most common goal for North American students headed overseas. That’s because some aspects of language can’t be taught. They have to be experienced first-hand.
Don’t underestimate the value of learning another language, even one that doesn’t make tremendous career sense, especially if you are thinking of study abroad from a world Christian perspective. Ultimately, of course, language learning is about people. It’s about getting to know the heart and values of another culture—what motivates them; what their dreams are about; why they find certain modes of humor funny, and so on. Accordingly, for Christians wanting to know more about God, language learning is ministry (not just preparation for ministry).
Science and Engineering
Even if you're in a regimented program in the sciences or engineering, many schools would love to see some of their students take coursework at peer institutions overseas; it's the type of initiative that makes departments look good, after all. Growing numbers of study abroad programs offer students opportunities to mix science coursework with language study, for example a course in circuitry and a course in Spanish.
The engineering world has a built-in mechanism that lends itself well for study abroad: internships. Chris, a Mechanical Engineering student from Boise State University, took a year-long internship at a Swiss engineering firm (through a connection from his university department). He gained skills that helped him land a job with an airplane manufacturer in the US, but he also learned the kind of communication skills required by a multi-national (but English-speaking) workplace. Additionally, while in Switzerland, he was able to become an active member of a local church.
Business
International economics is not just economics. It’s also international. Study abroad is an invaluable window to the world—exposure not just to other languages, but cultural subtleties that shape the business environment.
As many students learned during Urbana 06’s Open for Business track, Christians have the opportunity to do much good around the world through enterprise. Study abroad can help you learn how. John Terrill, Director for Professional School Ministries for InterVarsity USA, last year co-led a project in the Central African Republic, where a handful of MBA students studied obstacles to wealth creation in that country. In an interview with Urbana.org, he says:
There are elements of business that really allow us to create, and to do it in a way that thinks holistically about people and systems. We don’t just think about economic progress. We think about bringing social and spiritual impact as well.
Where you go makes a significant difference for your options. There are more options for Western and rich countries (Europe, Japan etc). Many major North American Universities run substantial programs; these include schools like the University of Miami; Boston University and several large state schools. Many other colleges and universities have credit transfer arrangements with peer institutions.
Programs directly administered by North American universities are often fully integrated into universities in the host country. In such cases, your classroom experience overseas will often include a course with all the other North American students for the semester, along with regular classes with national students. For example, you may find yourself simultaneously enrolled as a student at your home school (Arizona State, for example) for a minimal one credit; enrolled in a full slate of classes through a partner institution (like Boston University); while actually taking electrical engineering classes in, for example, Guadalajara in Mexico.
Warning. Just like with educational institutions in North America, the quality of programs varies widely. Some are academically rigorous; with easily transferred credits; others are little more than tourist opportunities. It is very important to adequately research the agency. Ask the experts: your college’s study abroad advisor. This person will know which programs work best for your particular situation.
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
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