Are students expected to study abroad?

Georgiatwins
Sat, 03 Mar 2012 12:37:30 +0000

Study abroad is optional, but I would highly recommend it for any student who is interested and can deal with being away from US for an extended period. ( Some students we know have had problems with being away from either their school or ability to see family for 2-3 months). Both our S and D studied abroad in their junior year and found it rewarding-both from an academic and social perspective. Our S spent 3 months studying in the British Isles-over 1 month in London, and felt like he had become a citizen. The opportunity to study at universities like Trinity in Ireland were invaluable. This program also gave students a 10 day travel option at the end the trip and many students traveled to European cities on the weekends.

Our D spent last Spring in Italy in a multidisciplinary program-included classes in Botany, Religion, Art History and one other subject. She loved the time in Italy and her confidence in traveling outside the US is amazing to us. This program also gave her confirmation of some careers she will not pursue, and others she is now interested in learning more about.

the professors on both trips were incredible and the bonds our kids formed while there are so valuable to each of them.

The one thing to emphasize to a student considering a study-abroad is that it really is class work and courses-with all the attendant work, assigned and expected for completion by specific dates. I think some kids believe programs like this are high-end tour groups-in our experience, the level of work required was actually more intense and it certainly wasn’t a “straight A experience”. Both of our kids worked the semester prior to departure reading required texts and writing papers.