by Evan Thurwachter
When you get a call from your student who is away at college and he or she mentions “Study Abroad," your mind probably takes you on one of two paths. You are either focused on the fact that they are vacationing around Europe for a semester or that they are getting a ‘shrunk’ version of the education offered at the University level.
What I think is so fascinating about actually going through this experience myself is that the trip in its entirety is a large educational journey that far surpasses what is taught in a classroom. Here are a few reasons why:
New and Foreign Environment
When going to study abroad, your student will experience a period of culture shock for variety of reasons—learning a foreign language, calculating a new currency or missing friends and family. The lesson is that every occurrence is a learning opportunity.
As everything for the most part is different from what you are used to, your student will gain knowledge in almost any avenue you can think of. This form of learning can be viewed as ‘unconventional,' as it is not directly related to a college course, but it is just as valuable when they are put out into the real world after graduation.
Focused and Streamlined Classes
Classes when you are studying abroad are different than normal classes. First, a student is potentially living with the students who are in most of their classes. This gives them prime opportunities and ease of access to form and maintain study groups and patterns. The classes are also generally smaller and are centered around more focused topics compared to in the United States. The classes are catered to the study abroad students and rely on actually gaining more knowledge rather than standardized tests and reading huge textbooks.
Bonding with Other Students
Teamwork is a skill that is very valuable. Being able to work together with other people effectively can speak volumes for your student's work ethic and character. Not only can he or she study alongside other students, but your child gets to travel with them as well. There are many opportunities where it is up to the students to make and execute full travel itineraries in a group. Being able to grow that skill consistently over a semester is invaluable.
So, for me, the bigger picture is really understanding education not as textbooks and credits, but the actual intake and retention of knowledge. Studying Abroad fosters and promotes a well-rounded education that has allowed me to grow, mature and learn — and I think it will do the same for your student!
Evan Thurwachter is a junior mass communication major from Lake Orion. He studied in Vienna, Austria, during the Spring 2018 semester.