Going to graduate school is a huge decision. Determining where to go to graduate school is potentially an even bigger decision. There are lots of considerations – cost, location, program offerings, job prospects after graduation – it’s enough to make your head spin! As the world becomes more interconnected, more and more students are looking at international options to earn their masters degrees. As Liz Elfman from The Muse points out, there are plenty of “pros” for this option. Of course, there are a few “cons” to take into account, as well.
On the positive side, getting your degree abroad will really stand out to employers. You would get a ton of excellent professional skills, and the ability to give concrete examples of your global understanding. Plus, programs abroad are generally significantly cheaper, and have a shorter duration.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that the resources at the school will be geared toward their resident students, so it may be more difficult for you to find an internship or other opportunities to build your network. There also is a considerable learning curve as you adjust to not only being a graduate student, but a graduate student who isn’t native to that particular country!
Elfman outlines other things that she considered before she determined she was going to study abroad for graduate school. You can read her story here. What other things would you consider before determining where to go for graduate school?
This semester, many students have expressed an interest in participating in at least one study abroad opportunity. We’re setting up new exchanges and finding new scholarships to make this a reality for our students, and we’re excited about their excitement! One thing we hope our students recognize is just how much they will get out of their time abroad. Not only will they grow academically, but also personally and professionally. InternationalStudent shares 10 benefits of study abroad, and here are five of them:
- Take In A New Culture- You will have the opportunity to try new foods, hear new music, participate in new holidays and traditions, and get a feeling for a new history.
- Developing A New Language- Although the language barrier is often a fear for students, it can be a great opportunity to hone and new skill and break out of your comfort zone. Even if you are going to an English-speaking country, there may be new dialects that you can learn.
- Personal Development- Study abroad provides an infinite number of possibilities to strengthen your professional skills. Through study abroad, you will gain an understanding of how culture impacts work life, the importance of communication, critical thinking skills, and remaining calm even when an experience is overwhelming. These skills will be incredibly beneficial for you in the world of work.
- Education- Teaching styles and class structures vary from country to country, so you will have to learn to adapt and how to balance your time between doing well in classes and allowing time to explore your new host country.
- See New Worlds- Depending on the location of your study abroad experience, or even the program that coordinates the experience, you may have the opportunity to explore not just one country, but many!
To see the many other reasons why you should consider taking part in a study abroad experience, check out InternationalStudent at: http://www.internationalstudent.com/study-abroad/guide/ten-benefits-to-studying-abroad/ . What are other benefits of study abroad that you think should make the list?
Hello!!
Sooo, I’m about 3 weeks late on this first post but now I finally have consistent internet and time to write this!! Just for those who don’t know, I’m studying at Stellenbosch University in South Africa for this fall semester which is super exciting. I’m taking 3 classes: a South African history class (which is directed to local students), Transitional Justice in Africa (aimed to international students), and finally LSCE which is a service learning program at a local school. These three weeks have been so packed with activities like hiking Cedarburg Mountain and visiting Capetown that it has been really busy and we are just now starting to get into a routine. The thing that surprised me most when we arrived at Stellenbosch was how beautiful it is!! Pinterest can only prepare you so much and it was so much prettier than I was expecting!!
Exhibit A:
At Spier Wine farm
Exhibit B:
Mountain view of Stellenbosch
Exhibit C:
View of the mountains from the market we visited
As I applied to this university with AIFS, I have many special group activities and trips that allow us to explore more of the country that would have been hard to do on our own. These excursions are all interesting and at gorgeous locations. Either hiking, shopping, wine tasting, or eating, it’s always a fun time.
Of course, I have to study too…
I picked certain classes that I knew I would not be able to take back home at Albright. They all provide a unique perspective of South Africa and its history. South Africa has such an interesting and complex history and I still have so much to learn about it. As I’ve been in class almost 2 weeks now, the homework and projects are starting to accumulate aka I need to stop procrastinating and work on them 🙂
Until next time –
Emily R.
Our office regularly invites program providers to come to our campus and connect with students about study abroad and stuff off campus opportunities. In addition, the spring semester brings our annual Study Abroad/Off Campus Fair, where students have the chance to meet with multiple providers, as well as meet with students who have studied abroad before. With our Fair being right around the corner, we wanted to take a moment to touch on the benefits of study abroad.
During a study led by CourseHero, 55% of students who turned from time abroad said the experience had a notable to significant impact on their career plans. 41% of students who studied abroad had a strong interest in working abroad after graduation, compared to only 17% of students who did not study abroad. Students who study abroad are able to add more qualitities to their resume, including foreign language proficiency, improved communication skills, strategic international undersanding, maturity, flexibility, and cross-cultural competence. Even better, employers recognize the importance of study abroad in selecting job candidates. 73% of employers acknowledged that seeing study abroad experience on a resume was important when evaluating candidates, and many Human Resource specialists recognized improved ability to start and continue conversations during interviews from students who studied abroad. Check out the photo to see what other things CourseHero gathered from their research!
There are many considerations when determining if study abroad is right for you. Take the time to research options and the various programs offered. Now matter where you go, and no matter how long you are there, the benefits of study abroad and off campus study will really help you shine!
Albright students, take the first step in planning your experience abroad by attending the Study Abroad/Study Off Campus Fair on Wednesday, March 5th, from 10:30am-1:30pm in the Campus Center!
It’s All About The Mindset!
Every year, Beloit College puts together a Mindset List to help college faculty and administrators better understand the viewpoints of the newest class. It discusses technology, social interaction style, and the American culture. For many college staff members, it’s a chance to reminisce and exclaim “WHAT?! They don’t know who that is?!” By the same token, we’re no longer making outdated references to celebrities these students have never heard of. It’s easier for college administrators to relate to students if we know where the student is coming from and what they understand- their mindset.
Mindset is important because, as you go through the world, it’s necessary to understand culture and the people around you. Things that may have never impacted you may be a huge influence on the life of someone else. It’s imperative to understand how the past is impacting the present. It’s easier to communicate and establish rapport with someone if you have, essentially, walked a mile in their shoes, and understand a bit about what makes them tick. For example, if you want to study abroad, it may not set a good example if you bring up something negative from that country’s past, or you argue with them about an aspect of their culture without understanding it. Or, you may be an intern pushing for more social media outreach and automated emails from a company that prides itself in face-to-face, personalized interactions. Have there been any times when someone didn’t understand your mindset? What about a situation where you really grasped a mindset, and the other person really appreciated it? How did you react?
Thanks to StudentUniverse for this great article! If you ever plan on studying abroad, check this list, and check it twice!
http://www.studentuniverse.com/travel-guides/study-abroad/top-10-list/10-things-you-need-to-know-before-studying-abroad
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Obtain or update a passport and make sure all your paperwork is in order.
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Keep up to date with the currency exchange…you might be surprised at how much you’re really going to spend.
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Watch the news for any updates that may pertain to you about where you are going.
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Register your semester with your home government; they will be able to get in touch with your contacts in the case of an emergency.
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Get all necessary health check ups and vaccinations. Order ahead on your prescriptions and let your health insurance know where you’re going.
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All your paperwork for flights and itinerary should be on hand at the airport and during your trip over.
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Let multiple people know where you are going in case of an emergency and where you can be contacted.
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Make sure all your courses, flights, housing, and itinerary are established and secured before leaving.
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Check with your bank about overseas rates and check to find a local bank in your study abroad destination that you will have access to.
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Lastly, make sure all your credits will be accepted at your home University. The last thing you want after your trip is to find out they’re not accepted.
ALBRIGHT ELCDC 