The world is your oyster. The Saint Ambrose Center for International Education makes sure of it. They offer a variety of study abroad programs that range in their location and length in an effort to accommodate any student who wishes to participate in the program.
If you’re looking for a semester program there are many options. Students can study in Ireland, Lithuania or Japan, just to name a few countries. These programs allow students to take 12-18 credits, improve their language skills, and learn about a different culture.
Spending an entire semester abroad lets students meet and befriend people from around the world. They can really experience what it’s like to live in another country and learn the many small but important differences that make countries and cultures unique. It will open students’ eyes to how big and exciting the world can be.
A full semester also allows students to settle into a routine and take advantage of everything the country they are staying in has to offer, including historical sites, museums and other cultural experiences. It gives the student a chance to live on their own and garner a greater sense of self and independence, taking it a step further than living at Saint Ambrose does.
However, if a semester away seems daunting, the program has short-term ways for students to get study abroad experience. There are many short-term programs that take place throughout the year. These opportunities can take place during winter break, spring break, may term and over the summer. These programs typically last between two and six weeks, depending on when the course is taken and the program the student chooses. Short-term study abroad opportunities tend to tie-in with classes offered at Saint Ambrose the semester of or before the trip. Students will generally earn between 3 and 6 credits in addition to expanding their horizons.
A short-term study abroad program can be ideal for someone involved in athletics, seniors or students with limited space and flexibility in their schedules, as well as anyone who simply wants to try studying abroad without committing to months away from home.
No matter how a student goes about their study abroad experience, it is a worthwhile and enriching time that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. It teaches them valuable lessons both in and outside of the classroom that can help the student learn about other people as well as themselves. Studying abroad can also be put on a student’s resume, helping set them apart in today’s competitive job market.
Monday, Sept. 17 there is a study abroad fair at the Center for International Education where you can learn more about specific short-term and semester programs, talk to the coordinators and find out which program is right for you.
The world is your oyster, are you going to take advantage?