| © Sandi M. Smith, Ed.D., Director of Institutional | | | | history, and humanities majors. A general business |
| Relations, Global Learning Semesters | | | | course taught in English by an Italian art institute is |
| Despite the poor perceptions of the U.S. by other | | | | not a compelling reason for a business major to |
| countries in the last decade, U.S. college students | | | | study abroad in Florence. Thus, if a student “just |
| have continued to see the value in participating in an | | | | wants to experience Florence, Italy”, he/she |
| academic international experience while in college. It is | | | | should go there on vacation, but should not choose |
| not merely the realization that the competitive job | | | | this as a destination to spend a summer or semester |
| market awards those with relevant and meaningful | | | | studying abroad. There are dozens of much more |
| international experience, I believe this generation of | | | | relevant destinations and programs for a business |
| “millennial” students are reaching out to | | | | major. |
| bridge the misunderstandings between Americans and | | | | 2. Financial: A relevant international academic |
| the increasingly globalized world. | | | | experience is a valuable investment in a |
| Thus, it appears to be more important to this | | | | student’s education and career. However, the |
| decade’s college students to choose a relevant | | | | same care and attention that goes into choosing a |
| and meaningful international experience that will not | | | | college, should go into choosing a relevant |
| only enhance their resume’ and job prospects, | | | | international experience. Study Abroad should not be |
| but will also give the student a broad perspective of | | | | approached as “a semester away from |
| the world and opportunity to build relationships with | | | | college” or “a chance to see the world”. |
| citizens of the world. | | | | There are less expensive ways to travel and take |
| It is important that students choose an appropriate | | | | time off from college than paying for a semester of |
| program to get the most out of an international | | | | study abroad. Besides… a student not really |
| experience. Because there are a variety of program | | | | interested in making a serious academic effort while |
| types, structures, locations, and requirements… it is | | | | on study abroad is a safety and academic hazard to |
| worth the time and effort it takes to find a program | | | | other students on the program. Any study abroad |
| that meets your individual academic and personal | | | | program should be pre-approved by the |
| needs. | | | | student’s academic advisor for transfer of credit |
| The “Big 3” reasons for choosing a study | | | | into the student’s graduation requirements. |
| abroad program that is a good fit: | | | | 3. Student Characteristics: As a third consideration in |
| 1. Academic: The program should be first and | | | | choosing a study abroad program (and it should be in |
| foremost relevant to the student’s academic | | | | the above order of priorities), really understanding the |
| and career goals. It is often that students choose a | | | | student characteristics is crucial in finding the most |
| study abroad program according to a destination that | | | | relevant and meaningful program. There is NO one |
| they want to see. Ah, the countless times I have | | | | perfect study abroad program. There are different |
| heard… “I have dreamed of seeing Paris since I | | | | programs designed for different student experiences |
| was a little girl. I have to study abroad in Paris.” | | | | and different student outcomes. Thus, it is worth the |
| And yet, this student did not take any French | | | | time and effort put into figuring out individual student |
| language classes in either High School or College | | | | characteristics before hastily choosing a particular |
| before requesting a semester abroad in Paris. Just | | | | study abroad program. |
| because a students wants to see or live in a | | | | Programs have distinctive characteristics, like |
| particular location, does not establish a compelling | | | | students, and thus it is important to find the right |
| academic justification for study abroad. Study abroad | | | | “match” between the student and the |
| should be chosen to enhance academic goals. As an | | | | program. Your friend, or sister, or teacher may have |
| example… It is not often that a business major can | | | | participated in a program that was “absolutely |
| show a compelling reason to study abroad in | | | | great” for them, but may not be a good fit for |
| Florence, Italy. Although there could be some | | | | you. Thus, a glowing recommendation from someone |
| relevance in studying the business of the art industry | | | | who went on a program is not necessarily the most |
| and art tourism, however, most of the study abroad | | | | appropriate approach to choosing a program. |
| programs in Florence are really only relevant for art, | | | | |