Why study abroad?

STUDY ABROAD can be an enriching and eye-opening adventure, where learning extends to the world beyond the classroom walls. There is no substitute for living and studying in a foreign country if you want to gain in-depth knowledge of another culture's customs, people and language. In addition, you will find that living and studying or working in another country can develop important transnational competencies that can be of interest to future employers.

Personal Growth

Students who return from a study abroad program often see it as an experience which matured them personally and intellectually. They praise being exposed to new ways of thinking and living, which encourages growth and independence. For many students, going abroad to study is the first time they have really been away from 'home,' from familiar surroundings of the foreign country, as well as from friends and family. This is seldom an easy experience, but it is universally praised as worthwhile, often even life-transforming. After immersing themselves in a new culture, mastering the challenges of learning in a new and different academic environment, and experiencing the many highs and lows of being a 'foreigner', students typically return home with increased self-confidence and justifiable pride in what they have achieved.

New perspective on world affairs

Study abroad can broaden your intellectual horizons and deepen your knowledge and understanding of international, political and economic issues. It is almost certain that you will return from your sojourn abroad with a more informed and accurate perspective on world affairs. You will also have first-hand knowledge of how another culture approaches the tasks and challenges of everyday life, a sense of how 'global' the international culture has become, and an appreciation of the importance of international cooperation.

You will probably also gain a broader understanding of and appreciation for, its way of life, and its role in international affairs. Through your professors, the other students in your programme and people you meet, you'll learn how others view and its world role. If you live in a country where English is not the native language or is spoken only by some, you will learn the practical importance of learning another language and using it.