Broaden your horizons with study or travel abroad: it's not just for the privileged anymore. College students from all walks of life are taking advantage of the opportunity to study abroad - College Bound

The sheer number and variety of international study programs available are evidence that you can find a program to fit your unique educational focus, career goals, and personal needs.

"I had a great experience," says Paulina Vidal, who spent her sophomore year, fall 1999 through spring 2000, in Graz, Austria, at the Karl--Franzens University. "I've always wanted to be involved in the international arena, and I've always wanted to go abroad. It's always been one of my dreams."

Vidal is a senior at the University of Oklahoma, majoring in international studies with a minor in German.

Dispelling the "only for the rich" myth, Vidal found it actually less expensive to study abroad. "It was a reciprocal exchange for tuition; and the living expenses were cheaper. Transportation was cheaper since I didn't have a car. Food was cheaper."

"Study abroad used to be for the financially secure," says Cynthia Truitt Lynch, a study abroad advisor at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. "It's not that way anymore."

Personal and Educational Benefits

Kelli Murphy, a recent graduate of Augsburg College, spent her last semester of college in Rome, Italy. "It will definitely benefit me in my career in the future," she says. "The language skills and the international experience made me more marketable in my senior year."

"I got a lot of friendships out of it," she adds. "And independence, because you don't have your family there. Confidence, too."

Murphy, who majored in management information systems, said that she liked Italy so much, she is trying to get transferred there through her new job at IBM.

Truitt Lynch says students learn a tremendous number of skills. "Employers look at language skills, intercultural competence, and a willingness to take the risk to study abroad."

Do Your Homework

Believe it or not, high school is not too early to begin thinking about studying abroad in college. Ask about the availability of international programs at the college you think you might attend.

"If [high school] students want to make study abroad a part of their two- or four-year college experience, they should begin by looking at colleges that have a program," says Truitt Lynch. "There are a lot of two-year colleges that have international programs, and they need to get a sense if that is a possibility," she adds. "Plus, they have to do some soul-searching too. They need to start exploring their goals."

Know Yourself

Students need to ask themselves many questions as they consider the various programs open to them, says Truitt Lynch. Here are questions to ask: What am I looking for logistically? Do I want to live with a family in the host country, or do I want to live in a dorm? How much contact do I want with the host community? Do I want traditional classes, or real-world experience?

Students also need to look at how much time they want to spend abroad, says Truitt Lynch. "Some students work full-time or part-time jobs. They have to know what they want to get out of the experience. Do they want to have a travel agent experience, where they hit all the tourist attractions? Or do they want a more intense experience, where they get firsthand experience with the people in the host country?"

Find a Program

The first place a student should go to find a program is the campus office. The college may have an international program advisor or a full office staff dedicated to working with students who wish to study abroad.

"The student's age, linguistic ability, needs, and academics will determine where I would suggest sending them," explains Jack Hobson, an academic advisor in the Office of Education Abroad at the University of Oklahoma. "We work closely with the respective department the student is in. Obviously there's an automatic draw for language majors, linguistics majors, and international studies majors. But we are now reaching out to others, such as majors in engineering."

If your college does not have study abroad resources, check out the Internet. On-line directories of programs are available and can be searched based on student criteria.

"Thoroughly go through the list of programs and don't sign up for something that is not what you want," recommends Jennifer Lewis, a product manager at Studyabroad.com.

Do the Paperwork

The application process can be lengthy, and it is recommended that students begin early, even as early as freshman year.

"You have to make sure you're on the ball with the application process," says Seth Howard, a senior at Augsburg College. Seth spent the summer of 2001 in Norway at the University of Oslo. "You can't just make a lickety-split decision. You have to have recommendations. There's a lot of bureaucratic stuff you have to work through. Don't get frustrated when things don't go perfectly."

In addition to recommendations other things that may be required of you during the application process are a required amount of time at college, a minimum GPA, travel documents such as a student visa and passport, writing an essay, and passing a test.

Murphy says she believes the paperwork involved weeds many people out, leaving only those who are serious about studying abroad. "There is so much paperwork that has to be done beforehand. I had to drive to Chicago just to get my visa. I was at the Italian consulate all day. It can be quite an ordeal."

Prepare for the Unexpected

"Anyone can really do it. You just need to have an open mind," says Howard. "You have to realize that when you get there, things will be different than at home. It gets easier the longer you are there, but you have to be open to cultural views. Be prepared for the unexpected."

Hobson suggests students get involved in the host community. "When you arrive the very first week, go and introduce yourself to the international relations office at the host university so they know your face, so there's a level of familiarity there.

"There's a tendency for students to seek out other U.S. students from a linguistics point of view. You're shooting yourself in the foot if you do that. I suggest you find out how to get involved in the host student body. It will benefit you socially and academically."

Try to speak the language of the host country. Vidal advises students to practice their language skills by talking to people in the host country. "I had German [skills], but the dialect differs in different areas. Ask people to speak slowly. Most people will switch to High [standard] German."

Murphy agrees. "It surprised me what a difference it made when I tried to speak Italian with them instead of starting out in English."

Hobson also recommends that students get a Hotmail or Yahoo account. "You're going to have E-mail access and phone access. You're not cut off."

Coming Home

In the end, as with most things, the experience is what you make it. "I try to tell students to go over there and meet new people, learn the culture," says Howard. "It's going to enhance your experience."

"The students say they didn't know things would be so different when they got back," says Hobson. "I tell them, it's you who are different."

For More Information

With more than 12,000 study abroad programs listed on the site, including international programs for high school students, www.Studyabroad.com is a great on-line resource.

The Institute for the International Education of Students (IES), a global non-profit educational organization, offers international study programs through a consortium of about 130 U.S. colleges and universities. Contact them at www.iesabroad.org, or call them at (800) 995-2300 or (312)944-1750.

Check your library or bookstore for Study Abroad 2002, published by Peterson's. List price is $29.95. To order, call Peterson's at (800) 338-3282 or visit them on the Web at www.petersons.com/stdyabrd.

RELATED ARTICLE: Is Studying Abroad in Your Future?

Consider the following questions to determine if you are ready for an international educational experience. Answer yes or no to each.

* Do I have realistic expectations of what a semester or summer abroad would be like?

* Am I flexible? Can I adjust to things that pop up unexpectedly?

* Do I have an open mind? Am I patient and tolerant of other cultures?

* Am I proactive? Can I rely on myself to get through the paperwork and any problems that may surface while abroad?

* Do I have some knowledge of the host country's language? Am I willing to try to speak the language, even if not perfectly?

* Am I comfortable taking risks?

* Do I have a sense of adventure? Am I willing to experience new things and meet new people?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, it might just be time to start packing!

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