study abroad or study in another US university?

ellendhan · 11-02-2006, 01:37 PM

My son, a sophomore in college, is considering a semester or two in France for his junior year. He's an economics/applied math major and the idea of living abroad appeals to him, as his univ. encourages its students to pursue such.

My thoughts, however, favor studying in a similarly reputable univ in the US, possbily an MIT, Princeton, Wharton at Penn, or Harvard, to advance his concentrations. His junior year represents a critical time to get serious with his majors and trying to "acclimatize" one's self, socially and professionally, in so short a time is "too experimental". I think the best of the world wants to come to the US and study in those aforementioned univs.

He has French fluency, does not see himself "working" outside of the US (for now), and blends in quite well in any situation, socially.

The bottomline is I would really like to see him take big strides in his chosen field/s and not get sidetracked by studying abroad.

What do you think?

mini · 11-02-2006, 01:42 PM

I think spending significant time in another culture is far, far more critical to most students' thinking and learning than virtually any courses a U.S. student can take here. The world is increasingly global, and impacts virtually every career area, and getting used to that idea will do more to advance most students on their way than any course of study.

Besides, there is plenty of time for specialization later (but probably not time for the year abroad.)

JM(NS)HO.

bethievt · 11-02-2006, 01:49 PM

It's your kid, but since you're asking for our opinion, I agree totally with mini.

cheers · 11-02-2006, 01:49 PM

If a student has not lived abroad or travelled much, the JYA is an incredible opportunity. You can make sure he goes into a rigorous program in France--studying at one of the best universities in France.

Besides, you need to let him follow HIS dreams. My father refused to fund my JYA becasue he thought it was the equivalent of the Hare Krishna School of Whatever and he thought he could keep me nearer to home. Daft old man. I paid for it myself by finding a live-in job. The experience changed the direction of my life. I found my high-minded career path and I found my DH.

ColoradoMomof2 · 11-02-2006, 01:59 PM

I hardly think going abroad will "sidetrack" him. I think it will enrich his academic experience and his life.

My D is a college freshman and my S a high school junior and I look forward to them studying abroad for at least a semester, and visiting them there if we get the chance! The world seems to get smaller by the minute; why not get to know your neighbors?

ellendhan · 11-02-2006, 03:08 PM

Thanks and I appreciate all the responses. Study abroad is winning by a landslide.

sybbie719 · 11-02-2006, 03:33 PM

Another vote for studying abroad. Is there a program given through the college or will he have to look for his own program?

keepmesane · 11-02-2006, 03:57 PM

Another vote for study abroad. He has 40-50 years to take big strides in his chosen field. Even though he doesn't currently plan on working out of the US, with the globalization of the work force, there is no way to tell at this point that he won't be travelling on business to some other part of the world or entertaining business associates here who come from a different culture. Businesses and Grad Schools frequently see this as a plus, even if the courses don't directly pertain to a student's field of study. Businesses like to see the kind of flexibility and adaptability living in a different culture entails. If looking at two candidates with similar educational backgrounds, they are going to take the person who can bring more versatility to the company.

If it appears that a full year will disrupt his schedule too much, then at least look at a semester abroad.

mathmom · 11-02-2006, 04:02 PM

I'll weigh in with yet another vote for studying abroad. When I talk to people who have never been abroad they just don't get how we are perceived in the world and how different (even Western Europe) it is out there.

curiouser · 11-02-2006, 04:31 PM

I'm in the Study Abroad camp as well. I've told both of mine that they MUST do a semester abroad (even though it pains us greatly financially).

I believe it's one of the most important educational experiences a college student will ever have. It can be life-changing, challenging, exhilarating, and broadens one's perspective on just about everything.

Your S can always go for a graduate degree at one of those prestigious institutions. Plus he will be a much more attractive candidate to them with a Study Abroad semester behind him.

Elleneast · 11-02-2006, 04:54 PM

My daughter studied in Paris for most of last year and set up her program through Reid Hall (administered by Columbia). She plans on applying to med school and yes, time abroad during the critical junior year did disrupt the flow of courses and currently has her hustling to finish up requirements and re-establish herself with profs and in her ECs now that she is back in the US. The overall experience was such that she does not regret going for a minute.

The majority of her classes were taken at the Sorbonne - unfortunately she was there for the strikes which interrupted her class schedule (and possibly colored her view of the academics). She found the Sorbonne not terribly challenging, though it was very good for her French and she enjoyed her professors.

She had tested in and debated going to Sciences Po which would have been much more demanding but I think she felt that her French wasn't quite good enough upon arrival to handle courses in areas that are more technical. She stayed for a summer session, took graduate level classes at Reid Hall and thought that they were very good - though she was in class exclusively with Americans which had not been her master plan.

She lived with an amazing family that she loves and plans on staying in touch with. She met interesting people and made some wonderful friends. She will be a better doctor for her time abroad.

http://www.ce.columbia.edu/overseas/about.cfm?PID=19

Your son might want to look into whether Sciences Po has courses that would work for him - it is held in very high regard internationally so it would pad his academic resume while giving him the study abroad time that he wants.

HImom · 11-02-2006, 05:08 PM

It's awesome that you're in the posiiton to offer your S these options. My niece did a semester abroad in London & had the time of her life! She interned for a solicitor's office (her major was English & Business) & she went on to law school afterwards & has just graduated.

Since the world IS shrinking alll the time & he's fluent in French, it sounds like a golden opportunity, especially if the schools set it up. It's much easier for him to set up taking classes or grad school in the US later, if that's of interest. In any case, what does your S want? I suspect it's this JYA in Paris, tho he may be waiting to hear what you want him to do.

ellendhan · 11-02-2006, 07:10 PM

The responses have all been eye-opening, at least on my part. Just to put things in perspective, I am a first generation immigrant from Asia, so we've done our fair share of cultural immersion and assimilation.

The one thing that stood out in this thread, is your constant reference to "globalization". I think I was a little too short-sighted not to consider this as it relates to my son and his batch of future job-seekers.

Thanks again...........................

UCLAri · 11-02-2006, 07:19 PM

Ellen (I'm assuming this is your first name...correct me otherwise),

I spent 6 months in Japan as an undergrad at the University of Tsukuba (no need to know about it.) It was, quite possibly, the most important experience of my undergraduate career. It offered me more perspective on my life than any of my classes as an undergrad. In fact, it changed my career goals almost totally. And I think it was for the better, really.

I can understand the desire to see him study at another university for a while to really master the material, but I think that it's more important these days to have a "hook" than to be able to say, "yeah, I'm totally rockin' with calculating deadweight loss in social welfare in semi-regulated markets." International experience, at least as far as I can tell, is much more prized than a couple of classes.

But part of me thinks that some international experience may not be as valuable as people trumpet. I mean, I have LOADS of experience with Japan. But since nobody really cares about good ol' Nippon like they did 20 years ago, it sure ain't gettin' me too many job offers.

interesteddad · 11-02-2006, 08:25 PM

Another vote for study abroad. The regulars here know how much my wife and I are in awe of the educational experience offered by her college in the states. But, both of us agree that her study abroad this semester is even more enriching.

Having said that, study abroad programs do vary considerably, both in their cultural aspects and academic aspects. I think it's reasonable for parents to set parameters on goals and objectives in selecting a program.

Ours were that a program has to accomplish some combination of:

culturally eye-opening and broadening, language immersion, and/or furthering or defining an academic direction.

In other words, it had to be more than a Euro-vacation.