Study abroad expands horizons as well as career options
Maiko Michishita
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: News
Study abroad is the only way for university students to learn about intercultural studies by allowing themselves to see things from multiple dimensions and to understand more about people around the world, said Kelly Wilkinson, assistant director of the university outreach or western region from Semester At Sea, the institute for shipboard education for global study abroad.
Employers look for knowledgeable people with intercultural education, he said. Even if they aren't, study abroad still stimulates intercultural understanding in today's global business world.
Study abroad used to be considered as a luxury about 20 years ago, Long said. Participants were largely females who were upper-middle class and had personal expenses to cover their fees. Most majored humanities or liberal arts and chose their destination to Europe. Today, both male and female students in any major fields participate in study abroad programs in various places, she said.
Europe is still the most popular destination, but the interest rate in Asia and Africa has increased recently. The number of students in 2006-07 academic year studying in South Africa increased by 28 percent from the year earlier, and the number in China increased by about 25 percent, according to the report done by the Institute of International Education released in November 2008.
"Students now see that studying abroad is not just a luxury. It's a necessity," Long said.
Employers look for knowledgeable people with intercultural education, he said. Even if they aren't, study abroad still stimulates intercultural understanding in today's global business world.
Study abroad used to be considered as a luxury about 20 years ago, Long said. Participants were largely females who were upper-middle class and had personal expenses to cover their fees. Most majored humanities or liberal arts and chose their destination to Europe. Today, both male and female students in any major fields participate in study abroad programs in various places, she said.
Europe is still the most popular destination, but the interest rate in Asia and Africa has increased recently. The number of students in 2006-07 academic year studying in South Africa increased by 28 percent from the year earlier, and the number in China increased by about 25 percent, according to the report done by the Institute of International Education released in November 2008.
"Students now see that studying abroad is not just a luxury. It's a necessity," Long said.
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