When the idea of studying abroad is raised, many students become excited and say that they would love to have the opportunity to. Who wouldn’t want to travel half way across the world to take classes and not to mention travel some as well? Maybe a few would decline the chance, but for most studying abroad is a privilege. From this students not only gain the academic knowledge from the classes they take, but so much more. In a study by Mary M Dwyer, PhD and Courtney K Peters taken from www.transitionsabroad.com, significant gains from studying abroad were confirmed. Studying abroad contributes to increased personal growth, intercultural development and education and career attainment.

This study proved that studying abroad increased personal development. Out of the 3,400 who participated in the survey, and studied abroad for a whole year, 98 percent had increased self confidence and felt more mature. Ninety eight percent attributed studying abroad to having a lasting impact on their world view. When being in a different country, one may know one or two people who came with them. Without knowing many people, the students are forced to go outside of their comfort zone and interact with others. Through this, students meet many people who they otherwise would not. The students also do have relatives right around the corner. They must essentially be on their own.

The study also showed that studying abroad helped 99 percent of people understand their own cultural values and biases, influenced them to seek a greater diversity of friends and still influences their interactions with people from different cultures. They can see who they are and who they are not and what they believe in and what they do not. They are free to make up their minds. The different environment triggers this.

More than 80 percent of those who studied abroad also experienced enhanced interest in academic study and reinforced commitment to foreign language study. Something sparked this interest during their time overseas.

Studying abroad was also proven to ignite an interest in a career direction pursued after the experience in seventy percent of those who were surveyed.

Overall, studying abroad will benefit someone on many different levels. Auburn University junior, Courtney Ritterbush, is excited about getting to experience this opportunity. She will get to decide on the classes she wishes to take and where she will travel in her spare time. Through traveling abroad, Ritterbush will build here resume, grow on a personal level as well as academically and experience different cultures.





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