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Prior personal planning: a key to study abroad success |
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Tuesday, 27 March 2007 |
by RYAN WIXTED
Intern Sports Reporter
Planning, planning and more planning.
“That’s the most important thing for students to do who are looking to go study abroad,” International Programs Program Director Nancy W. Wells said.
For years, the Office of International Education and Development at Appalachian State University has provided opportunities for students to go out, see the world and embrace other cultures.
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Students enjoyed a two-week visit to Queenstown, Ireland on a study abroad trip last summer to learn about Irish traditional music, its creative process, the cultural aspects of Ireland, and its influence on music. The study abroad program recommends planning in advance for study abroad trips.
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However, not being prepared for what could lie ahead may hurt that experience.
“The program here provides great opportunities for any student,” Wells
said. “But they must do their own homework before going to study in
another country.”
Doing your homework is the most important part for any student to enjoy a great experience.
Anne K. Archer, a sophomore philosophy and religion major, realized early on that studying abroad
would take some time to plan.
“It took me about four months to get everything planned,” Archer said.
Archer, who has looked forward to studying abroad since arriving at Appalachian State, believes all the planning was worth it.
CLICK HERE for an interactive graphic on studying abroad
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“I always could see myself studying abroad,” Archer said. “I always
looked forward to going to college so that I would have the opportunity
to study abroad.”
Wells said students need to know where they stand academically, if
their credits transfer back to Appalachian, and if they handle the
culture change when in another country.
“When you’re in another country, you learn about their culture and their education system,” Wells said.
Chris C. Houska, a senior international business major, spent a semester studying abroad in Mexico.
Houska said studying abroad is rewarding for people looking to enrich their education, as well as learn about another culture.
The most important issue for students who look to study abroad is
making sure the university you are considering carries your major.
“That’s the first thing students need to figure out,” Wells said.
“Their advisor and the abroad program here can help a student figure
out what universities will offer their major and which ones do not.”
With such a diverse world, the office of international education opens
many students’ eyes to different political, global and diverse issues
that appear in other countries.
“The best part of studying abroad was being around people for different
backgrounds and cultures,” Houska said. “I learned a lot from my
roommates, who were Hispanic. They showed me many
interesting things
about their culture.”
The best way for students to adapt and understand another culture is to
not be around other American
students who are over there, Houska said.
“If you don’t go out and meet new people from that culture, you will miss out on the whole experience,”
Houska said.
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