We’ve all thought about it—to go or not to go? Whether you planned on it or not, you most definitely finagled with the idea of studying abroad. When else could you pack your Vera Bradley totes stuffed with a six-month supply of peanut butter, bid farewell to the ladies and gentlemen of the last three years with a histrionic bow, and jet off to another country sans the he-said-she-said drama or awkward ex encounters or perfunctory academic effort or the seemingly endless mounting of expectations laden in yesteryear?
Think about it. Didn’t your sorority sister return from a fall in Paris, gushing with stories of her intellectual nights with Étienne, the artiste, strolling along the Seine after a romantic dinner in Saint-Germain des Prés? Remember when your roommate showed up second semester twenty pounds lighter, with a complexion of Cleopatra, and brimming with the energy of a conquering Sultan, begging the question: what was in Istanbul’s water and where can I get some? And then your teammate was suddenly Facebook friends with, it seems, some five million Vietnamese children she trained at a tennis camp in Hanoi over the summer. Even your boyfriend’s jaunt in Madrid continues to conjure an occasional bout of nostalgia, “oh, those nights back when…”, to which you roll yours eyes and gesticulate mockery. Oh, those nights. Everyone comes back different—more worldly, more mature, more something. And whatever that something is, it seems that studying abroad is an experience to be had, and each year thousands of students are indulging in the once in a lifetime experience to be a student in another country.
Who is Going? And Where?
Whether in search of a good time, an educational experience, or simply an escape from the same ol’ American institution, United States students are studying abroad in increasing numbers. According to IIE Network’s Open Doors 2009 study, Report on International Educational Exchanges, the number of students studying abroad in the academic year 2007/2008 increased by 8.5% from the previous year. Over 262,000 students studied abroad in that academic year, the majority of whom were in the field of Social Sciences (21.5%), Business & Management (20.2%), or Humanities (13.3%). What motivates these students to study abroad, however, begins with the question: where are students going? The Open Doors study ranked the top destinations among U.S. students studying abroad. Here are the top ten destinations:
- United Kingdom: 33,333 students; 12.7% of all students who studied abroad The U.K. is the most popular for first time overseas travelers. There is no added pressure to learn another language, aside from the subtle pronunciation differences, and it is also home to some of the world’s most viable institutions. London anyone? Absobloodylutely!
- Italy: 30,670; 11.7% It’s no surprise that students flock to Italy. The country is infamous for its traditional lifestyle, one filled with food, family, and fun. Cities like Rome and Bologna are fraught with history, while those like Milan boast a fashion emporium. And let’s not kid ourselves here—the hope that a smoldering Fabiano will whisk us away to the Tuscan countryside on his baby-blue vespa never dies.
- Spain: 25,212; 9.6% While Spain attracts students for the opportunity to learn the Spanish language, it also represents a vibrant dynamic of the European culture in a Mediterranean context. Madrid and Barcelona are popular big-city destinations, but others like Granada, Seville, and Salamanca also attract students for their renowned universities and student populations.
- France: 17,336; 6.7% Paris. Enough said. The world is intrigued by the magic and romance surrounding the city. Stereotypes aside, Paris, and the rest of France for that matter, is home to art, fashion, history and cuisine. And where better to learn the language of love than in France itself?
- China: 13,165; 5.0% China’s popularity has increased in recent years by virtue of its increasing economic clout. The benefits of learning Chinese have substantially increased in the world market. China is not only the most populated country in the world, but also is so different from America that the vastness of its disparity is almost justification enough. Immersing in the Chinese culture is something entirely unique and rewarding.
- Australia: 11,042; 4.2% The Australians also speak English, so students who don’t want to venture too much out of their comfort zone would prefer Australia. Most study in Melbourne and Sydney, but for those looking for somewhere outside the box will oftentimes opt for the western city of Perth. Australia is also believed to have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
- Mexico: 9,928; 3.8% Mexico is perfect for Spanish language learners. The country is rich with history and tradition. Also, what could be more ideal than meeting with your friends back home in Cancun for Spring Break?
- Germany: 8,253; 3.1% Some of the greatest musicians, philosophers, scientists, and poets were of German descent, so you know Wienerschnitzel must have magical powers. Berlin is the most popular destination. It is fascinating to witness the continuing transformation of the city after the fall of the Berlin wall. Today, the country is a hub of diverging cultures and a rising, eclectic youth. Munich is also popular for its distinct Bavarian culture; one that values celebration in the form of the annual Oktoberfest.
- Ireland: 6,881; 2.6% If images of a vast green countryside and picturesque seascapes aren’t convincing enough, consider Ireland’s reputation for its beer and good-natured inhabitants as added incentive. While the country speaks English, there are still vestiges of Gaelic that humor and surprise visitors with a taste of rarity.
- Costa Rica: 6,096; 2.3% Costa Rica is great for Spanish language learners. For those interested in nature and an eco-friendly atmosphere, Costa Rica provides venue for exploration. Costa Rica also serves as a cheaper alternative to Spain.
What Students Have to Say
It isn’t the crowd, or lack thereof, that necessarily motivates students to study abroad in these countries or others off the list. Take Jessica Granson, Kara Todd, and Lisa Morales, three girls with three markedly different experiences abroad, with each girl driven for her own reasons. Granson says, “I chose Italy because of the unique opportunity to live in Florence, Italy, a city that valued and retained its historical and architectural integrity.” She also emphasizes, “Italians understand how to kick back and really appreciate life, family, friends, and, of course, amazing food!” To her, the decision to study in Italy had little to do with its mainstream attractiveness. In fact, she shunned the beloved Duke program in Florence, which housed students in a villa several miles displaced from the city, and opted for New York University’s program, which placed students directly in the hustle and bustle of Florence. For Todd, the decision to study abroad in Mexico and Tanzania was a conscious effort to embrace the crude realities of the world. Todd says, “I wanted to understand and actually experience what living in a developing country was like. I had read so much about poverty and I wanted to really know what that meant.” In her spring semester of junior year, Morales studied abroad at Stellenbosch University, which is about thirty minutes outside of Cape Town, South Africa in the middle of the wine country. While most students study abroad at Cape Town University, Morales was looking for something less urban and chose the city of Stellenbosch on a whim. Morales says, “I chose to go there because my mom is South African and I had never been, so it was primarily an exploration of my family roots.” Other students, Morales elaborates, chose Stellenbosch by virtue of the service component attached to their program. She says, “It offers the opportunity to assist in lower level classes, teach after school dance lessons, coach the basketball team, among other things.”
Lisa Morales, South Africa Despite her efforts, Granson says, “Many Italians are eager to practice their English, and it is easy to get by without testing your own language skills. My biggest regret is not making more of an effort to speak Italian.” Granson could escape America, but that didn’t mean America escaped her. Morales faced a similar problem to Granson. She explains, “I know a number of Americans that would always just hang out with other Americans, and while that is often times easier, it takes away from having a full and meaningful experience.” And for those resisting the temptation to study abroad in a country that speaks English, consider the virtues of indigenous culture. Language learning doesn’t necessarily define studying abroad. Morales notes the multicultural aspect of her location—the area she was in was mostly made up of Afrikaans (Dutch decedents) and the isiXhosa (a native tribe). The cultural dichotomy was not exclusively America-Africa oriented; instead, there was the internal Afrikaans-isiXhosa dynamic that further enriched her study abroad experience.
Tips to Planning Your Study Abroad
- Don’t limit yourself to the most popular destinations. In addition to the top ten study abroad destinations listed, the following come in close: Japan, Argentina, Greece, South Africa, Czech Republic, Austria, India, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil, New Zealand, Israel, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Russia. Why limit yourself to top go-to destinations? Push yourself out of your comfort zone and explore something new!
- Visit your school’s office of international programs, and talk to an advisor about your options. The office is equipped with hundreds of pamphlets covering all locations, majors, and universities abroad. The office’s advisors are full of advice and have a database of previous students who have studied abroad so that you can be connected to them.
- Talk to friends, family, and peers who have studied abroad. Make sure you gauge their reactions to where they went, their living situations, and their programs in order to predict what would best fit your criteria.
- Talk to your major’s department, making sure your major allows you to study abroad and you are still able to complete college with the necessary requirements fulfilled. Also make sure you are optimizing your study abroad experience by receiving as much credit as possible.
- Seasons are important! Consider the experience if it were in the Fall, and then in the Spring. Would your destination’s climate be different during these times? Would your program be better second semester? Would you be missing out on more at your school if you went first semester? Be smart and choose wisely!
Whether studying abroad in one of the top ten destinations like Italy or venturing to somewhere “different” like Africa, the experience is undeniably rich. Granson recollects pressing her own olive oil in Florence, and Morales remembers touring the numerous vineyards in and around Stellenbosch. So many reasons compel students to study abroad that it is impossible to point to just one. Returning to America, however, all students bring with them the beauty of having traversed part of the globe, experiencing the ups and downs of student life abroad. Sources: 1.) Institute of International Education 2.) Lisa Morales, study abroad student 3.) Kara Todd, study abroad student 4.) Jessica Granson, study abroad student