Oh, the places we’ll go!  Here are some quotes from students as they wrote up and investigated a "Study Abroad" Experience.  They created a 2 page paper in which they discussed they discussed a university or other program, why they chose that city or country, the advantages and disadvantages of that program, what their life would be like while living there, academic and other preparations they would need to make, costs, how they would pay for it and then the most important part-a reflection on how it might impact them personally, what they might learn. (Credit to Brian Powell @ Bellingham High for sharing with me his project) This is something I do with 2nd year language students, but could be modified for every level.

Resources for Study Abroad:

Here are some quotes from students:

I picked Kenya as a possible oportunidad to go to as an exchange program offered between university of British Columbia and Canadian Field Studies in Africa because of the wide range of experiences offered. I’ve always wanted to travel to Africa to experience a different kind of culture than America’s which I’m so accustomed to. I’ve never really left the continent and never experienced a different culture. I don’t want to take a gap year though; I want to be able to receive an education while being able to see different parts of the world. Kenya is on the complete opposite side of the world and has so many different cultural norms than what I’m used to. I really want to experience the feeling of culture shock and being able to take in my new surroundings. I’ve heard so many great stories about Kenya and I would love to go there and experience it for myself.  Guadalupe Abby Wright

Why study abroad?

I think this trip would benefit me in the future because an employer may like that I took the initiative to take a trip across the world to immerse myself in a foreign culture. I believe that any of the courses I will learn over there will help me when it comes to finding a job. Of course a trip, like this need to be taken into consideration whether it is worthwhile. I believe that it will require me to take on some new responsibilities and create new goals to achieve.

think it would be more worth your time and money if you are already going to community college to stay the semester instead of studying abroad just because you would save more money. Now if money isn’t an issue than I believe that the study abroad experience would be well worth the money you spent and it would be an experience you would never forget. I really do feel that continuing your education is very important and having the chance to expand your knowledge of the world is something worth doing.  Mason “Rafael” P

Future impact

There are more opportunities for jobs that are higher paying and I could travel to Spanish speaking countries without a guide or having to go with a friend that speaks Spanish or even better I could be that guide that has to show the way and communicate with natives. I have always wanted to travel somewhere that was more exotic than Hawaii and I think studying a language opens opportunities like NW Cadiz. Jake Javier Bell

I'm determined to study abroad because i think that the pay off for this investment in myself well pull me ahead when im looking for a job and i think it will hel me discover myself or maybe even reinvent myself.  Patrick L.

The impact on my future that this would give me is unbelievable. Many jobs are much more willing to hire a bilingual applicant than one who only speaks one. They will even pay you more than the normal job holder. Aside from professional advantages, spending a year or even a semester would give me experiences that would last me for a lifetime. I feel like it would really change my outlook on life. Everyone I know who has traveled abroad raves about it and says how much it made a difference in their lives. Bella Clawson