Why Studying Abroad is Good for You

Study abroad is a program that every school has, but few people actually take advantage of.  Whether the reason is because of the cost or the length of time of the trip, many people shy away from what could be one of the best experiences of their lives.  St. Ambrose offers so many great programs that would be perfect for you collegiettes™—and your wallets!

Of course there are the typical semester-long trips.  These are the most expensive, but Ambrose has six programs through which you can take your entire SAU financial aid package, just excluding work-study grants.  This could be less expensive than actually spending a semester on campus!  The programs that offer this deal are in Ireland, Ecuador, Japan, England, Croatia and France.  Even if you choose a program that is not part of that list, there are always scholarships that you can apply for to lower the cost.

Don’t feel like being gone for an entire semester or can’t fit it into your busy schedule? 
 
There are also great short-term study abroad programs, which take place during the winter, spring break, May term, or summer. 
 
“Although we encourage students to study abroad for an entire semester, we know that semester study isn’t for everyone,” said Stephanie Loncarich, the study abroad coordinator at St. Ambrose.
 
The short-term trips are a great way to make sure you graduate on time but also help you take advantage of the study abroad opportunity.  Also, they are usually directly through Ambrose, so it is easy to transfer over the credits you earn.
 
“This is also a good way for students to “try out” study abroad and see if they would like to go abroad for a longer stretch of time,” Loncarich said.  “It is actually quite common for students to study abroad more than once.”

 
Still not convinced?  Studying abroad not only benefits you during your trip, but long after as well.  Studying abroad looks great on a resume.  Future employers like to see people who take initiative and immerse themselves in other cultures.  This shows that you, as future employees, are comfortable with taking the lead in situations and can handle yourself in several environments.  It is also possible that future jobs will require traveling, and the fact that you lived in another country for some time will definitely give you the competitive edge.  Some study abroad programs even offer internships in other countries.  This is a great opportunity to take advantage of because then you also have work experience from that country.
 
But let’s not forget the main reason to study abroad: to discover more about yourself.  Studying abroad is an awesome experience not just because of the traveling and living in a new country, but because you learn so much more about yourself.  You are placed in a completely different environment and are truly independent for however long you are there.  You learn how to handle situations, whether they are good or bad.  In a way, it is the time to enjoy being a kid but also to get a first glimpse at the independence, and sometimes overwhelming life, of adulthood.
 
To sum up: studying abroad is good for you.  You will gain so much from the experience and it will be unforgettable.  If you have always thought you would like to study abroad but weren’t sure how to take the first step, go online and research.  If you always assumed study abroad was not an option for you because of money or your class schedule, it is still worth a try to see if it is a possibility.  Check out St. Ambrose’s study abroad page at http://www.sau.edu/Study_Abroad.html.  Also, if you have questions, you can always e-mail the study abroad office at studyabroad@sau.edu. 
 
Don’t wait around and one day wish that you had taken advantage of such an amazing opportunity!