2008 Woodie Awards
Expand you mind: Travel
Ashley Brown
Issue date: 8/27/07 Section: Perspectives
Learn Spanish in Spain. Learn German in Austria. Learn French in Quebec. These are a few of the promotions that are thrown at us to encourage participation in the study abroad experience. International study is indeed becoming an important ingredient to any academic pedigree. As the global community shrinks and competitiveness continually increases, schools and employers are beginning to look more closely at the great importance of international study and experience. This means that students should begin considering the importance of international learning for any future career. Unfortunately there are several weaknesses that exist in the study abroad programs at Austin Peay State University.
One such weakness is the subject matter that is covered abroad. All of the programs that are offered are primarily based in language courses and nearly all of them are based in foreign languages. Although, it is easiest to learn a foreign language when surrounded by it, there are many benefits to study abroad that go far beyond this. When in a foreign country for extended periods of time, not simply for a brief vacation, it is possible to get to know the people better. Now I don't mean specific people, but the people in general. In this way students learn to see the world in an entirely different light and realize that different minds work in completely different ways, thus broadening the mind. A broad mind is just as important to students of business, art, medicine, etc. as it is to students of language. So study abroad programs should focus on them as well.
Now, it is true that most of the programs do offer introductory level language courses, which are the core for any degree, but it would be more useful for non-language students to get international experience in their own field. Not many students are willing to pay so much to take a core class that they may not even be interested in, when their future work is in a different area, so there is not much incentive for these students to pursue a study abroad program. It would be more practical for business students to study internationally if they study international business. Similarly, political science majors would benefit more from politics studied abroad than they would from a core language class. For practically every major, a more applicable study abroad program could be devised.
One such weakness is the subject matter that is covered abroad. All of the programs that are offered are primarily based in language courses and nearly all of them are based in foreign languages. Although, it is easiest to learn a foreign language when surrounded by it, there are many benefits to study abroad that go far beyond this. When in a foreign country for extended periods of time, not simply for a brief vacation, it is possible to get to know the people better. Now I don't mean specific people, but the people in general. In this way students learn to see the world in an entirely different light and realize that different minds work in completely different ways, thus broadening the mind. A broad mind is just as important to students of business, art, medicine, etc. as it is to students of language. So study abroad programs should focus on them as well.
Now, it is true that most of the programs do offer introductory level language courses, which are the core for any degree, but it would be more useful for non-language students to get international experience in their own field. Not many students are willing to pay so much to take a core class that they may not even be interested in, when their future work is in a different area, so there is not much incentive for these students to pursue a study abroad program. It would be more practical for business students to study internationally if they study international business. Similarly, political science majors would benefit more from politics studied abroad than they would from a core language class. For practically every major, a more applicable study abroad program could be devised.
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