Study abroad offers more than resume building

Nowadays companies are
looking for diversity. They
want employees with an
open mind and a broad world
view. Thus, travelling abroad
is seen as a plus. However
getting a good job should not
be the only reason to study
abroad. The advantages go
beyond the job market.

According to the
Institute of International
Education (IIE), "all students
should study outside
the United States, in both a
developed and developing
country, so as to gain the
necessary global perspective
and mindset essential
in today's global business."
Many students believe that
travelling abroad can bring
only job opportunities and
that it's the only motivation
to to go to another country.
"I want to go to Europe so I
can have an abroad experience.
It will be good for my
resume," says Alice Dantas,
a sophomore International
Business major at TCNJ.

Studying in another
country can bring job opportunities,
yes, but more
importantly, it can broaden
your horizons, by exposing you
to another language, culture
and history. It is an improvement
of self. The entire experience
abroad can change your
life. The benefits go beyond
marketability. It can indellibly
change you, leading to greater
independence and fearlessness.
Further it can change the
way you see other cultures and
how you relate to
people with
different perspectives.

I am
an international
student
at Mercer, and
I came to the
United States
to learn English
and learn
about American
culture, so
I could teach
the language
in a private school
back in Brazil. Now I realize that
I have gained much more than
fluency. I have learned how to
adapt in a different culture, to
fit into the American's habit and
way of life. Before I got here, I
studied English for four years,
and I thought I knew it. But my
own experience showed me the
only way to truly learn a language
is relying on it.

In addition to learning
the language, I've grown personally
because of exposure to
a diverse popuation. I've found
this especially rewarding. Here,
in America, I have met many
different people: Americans,
Europeans, Africans, Middle
Eastern people, and Asians, to
name a few.

I have learned a lot
from my expanded
group of international
friends.
I can ask my
German friend
about the Berlin
Wall, or ask my
Israeli friend her
view of the Palestinian-
Israeli
Conflict. It is really
interesting to
hear from someone
who lived
the history; and,
often their perspectives
are unlike those shown on
TV.

Most importantly, I am
a much stronger individual because
I've studied abroad. I believe
that if I can make it here by
myself, without knowing anybody,
and speaking poor English,
I can do anything I want.
Now, after three years living in
America, I am well-adapted to
the culture; I can say I have a
normal life.

Amazingly, regardless
of students' goals are for studying
abroad, most of the time
they achieve more than they
had expected. "When I decided
to study in Europe, I thought it
would be good for me to learn
about the 'Old World', but I
gained much more than that;
I am more tolerant and confident
now" says Janice Kuntz,
25, from Newark, NJ. Giselle
Pereira a student from Brazil
who spent one year in the Netherlands,
said "the magnificence
of spending a year in Europe
is that you can travel to many
different countries due the fact
they are very close to each other."

Independence, self-growth,
overcoming difficult
and unexpected situations, and
respecting and learning how to
deal with different cultures are
all challenges that one learns to
overcome by studying abroad.
Studying in a foreign country
is a continuous learning process.
You learn while walking
the streets, talking to people, or
going to historical sites. Clearly,
there is much more to gain than
just a job.