Study abroad: Is it worth it?

February 21, 2010 by Geneva Reid

Posted in: Academics, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views

More students are studying abroad than ever — but what are they getting out of the experience? The most recent numbers show 262,000 students studying abroad, according to the Institute of International Education:

In 2007-08, the number of students jumped 8.5% compared to the year before.
The number increased a drastic 77% compared to 1987-88.

And what are the students getting from the experience of traveling overseas?

Michael Cowan, executive director of the University of California’s Education Abroad Program, told the Wall Street Journal that a student can “really come to terms with how he or she navigates an unfamiliar world, particularly in places where a different language is dominant.”

Taking a student out of his or her comfort zone can result in an experience that encourages growth and maturity.

But there is a downside to traveling abroad — namely, the cost.

There’s the extra expense that goes hand-in-hand with travel
The value of the dollar doesn’t always hold up against foreign currencies.
Specific cities — such as Paris or London — can be very costly to live in.

Do the benefits outweigh the costs? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

HigherEdMorning delivers the latest HigherEd news once a week to the inboxes of over 200,000 HigherEd professionals.

Click here to sign up and start your FREE subscription to HigherEdMorning!

Tags: Education Abroad Program, Institute of International Education, University of California

6 Responses to “Study abroad: Is it worth it?”

Michael Osterbuhr Says:
February 24th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Not all students who attend K-12 schools graduate, not all of those graduates attend college, not all college students graduate. What would a world look like where 100% of our young people graduated high school and college? What jobs would be available for them?

Those students who are able to afford to study abroad and successfully navigate living abroad will be in higher demand because of the nature of our world economy. The cream rises to the top and employers know it.
Ed Plourde Says:
February 24th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Let me put it this way.
Back in 1973 I had the same concerns as the dollar was at an all-time low.
Having majored in economics my Junior year in Switzerland gave me a whole different dimension on international finance and economies. I have never regretted the experience, knowing I could have never done it any more inexpensively.
Terry B. Says:
February 24th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
My son has really grown up during his junior year abroad. Not only is he learning great things about another culture, he is learning that people are basically the same everywhere (and that insight, multiplied by all the students abroad, will lead to better global understanding). And in practical terms, he knows how to plan trips, change money, stay on a budget… all positive.

Now we need to find ways for families with fewer resources to give their kids these same experiences. Philanthropic gifts will help!
Dr. John BRenner Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 10:50 am
I am a community college faculty member who takes students on short term trips abroad. We will leave next week for a week stay with families in Brazil. This gives the students a real cultural understanding of another people (much better than living in a dorm situation or hotel with the other Americans). Also it is most important for students to take short term trips because it gives them a quick opportunity to navigate another country. But the real value is that the students have to have a passport which means they have the ‘option’ of travel for 10 years.
Jennifer A. Lund Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
I do not think the act of going abroad by itself makes for a more educated and informed citizenry. It is the intent of learning abroad and the openness to engaging with and reflecting on the people, resources and nation in which a person studies, interns, or volunteers that makes “study abroad” a powerful, often “life-changing” experience and an invaluable aspect of education in the 21st century.

It is incumbent upon us as a nation to find ways to make this transformative and critical aspect of education accessible.
Katherine Russell Says:
March 11th, 2010 at 10:26 am
I traveled abroad and I stayed. There is nothing better than learning that your culture and language is not the “one and only”. We are a global world now and students who have a better understanding of this will hopefully make our world a better one. It is unfortunate that it has become more and more expensive to participate in some programs. It is a completely worthwhile investment to send a student abroad, even if it is only for two or three weeks. There should be financial aid available to those who wish to participate.