Outside of your homes and community, a whole new world awaits you. This is a world filled with all kinds of experiences and perspectives. A world that teaches you some important life lessons. A world that shapes you into the individual you become. You probably guessed it by now! We are talking about getting out of your safe space. But how do you experience this new world?
A simple yet effective way is studying abroad. Going to a brand-new country where people speak a different language than you, exploring their architecture, museums, and monuments, and feasting on some memorable food and drinks while studying for your career – this sums up your entire study abroad programs.
If you are also looking for a similar kind of experience, there are multiple opportunities waiting for you to take the plunge!
Let’s take a look at some study abroad programs:
1. Faculty-Led Programs: These are short-term (3-6 weeks) programs in summers that are led by the faculty from your home institution. They take you to a university in another country where you can complete your major-specific coursework or learn something of cultural importance.
2. Exchange Programs: These generally involve two institutions in different countries. In these types of programs, students go to each other’s country for an immersive cultural experience. Many students even share their ideas and thoughts over Emails as well.
3. Direct Programs: While the other two programs involve your home institution in one way or another, direct enrollment programs are the ones where you enrol directly into the institution of your choice. You need to fulfil their eligibility requirements and send in your documents. If accepted, you receive an acceptance letter from them. These programs are generally taken by students who want to major in a specific field.
4. Internships: These are just like any other internships where you apply your theoretical knowledge in practical settings. The only difference is that you move to another country and learn more about their culture.
Now that you know about the various options available, it is time to understand why you should choose study abroad experiences.
Take a look at some of the benefits of studying abroad:
1. Academic Growth: Many times, the courses you want to pursue aren’t available in your home institutions. In these cases, you can apply abroad and learn skills that will help you fulfil your career goals. In other cases, most of these institutions have advanced technology, renowned faculty, and different teaching methods that you might not find in your home country.
2. Overall Development: When you move out of your home, you move out from your comfort zones. As you navigate a new country, you encounter new and unfamiliar situations, and culturally different environments. Over time, these situations help you build self-confidence, and resilience, and enhance your ability to adapt.
3. Career Opportunities: What employers are looking for is the willingness to learn, communication skills, adaptability, flexibility, courage, and awareness in their potential employees. Studying abroad hones all these skills of yours, eventually making you more employable!
To conclude, studying abroad doesn’t end at your university’s gate. It merely starts from there. When you go abroad, you get a step closer to your dream of seeing the world, making new friends, and finding new adventures every day!