WHY STUDY ABROAD?

Study Abroad is no longer perceived as just for the privileged. 

Today’s students are the leaders of tomorrow--and tomorrow every leader will need a global perspective.  Study abroad is part of a complete education that includes multicultural interaction.  During your abroad experience, you might stand at the foot of the Sphinx or the front door of the Kremlin. You could walk the Great Wall of China or wander the art displays of the Louvre. As an alternative to traditional dorm or apartment living, living with a host family and sharing a meal with them can teach you more about a country’s culture and customs than any of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Study Abroad opens up the world to you. Where have you always wanted to go? And what have you always wanted to see? The Houses of Parliament in London or the Great Barrier Reef in Australia? Your undergraduate years are perhaps one of the few times in your life when you can experience all that the world has to offer in such a fresh and enduring way, concentrating on your studies while learning about yourself. 

Many students have shared that the impact of living in a culture through the language immersion program will last a lifetime. We believe immersion in the target culture and language is the greatest means of attaining proficiency. Through this experience, students learn to appreciate another part of the world.

But if you don’t know another language—don’t let this stop you from studying abroad! There are also programs of study taught in English that will help you learn about yourself and the world around you.  

In choosing to study abroad, you will be participating in what many students have described as a “life changing” experience. Ask any student who has studied abroad about their experience, and you will get many insightful and varied responses. But what students hold in common from this unique educational opportunity is that they are changed by it; they discover things about themselves that they didn’t know before. It brings richness, depth, and understanding to their careers, their attitudes about the world we live in, and to every other aspect of their lives. 

Because study abroad is also a faith journey, students find their participation in a local church during their time abroad adds to the value of their experience. They find this to be another opportunity to strengthen their character, sharpen their competence, and help prepare themselves for service.  

Is Study Abroad for you? We hope so! The first step is to discuss the options available to you with your Academic Advisor.