Study Abroad International Exchange: Growing as a Student and a Person

Are you the type of person who enjoys meeting new people, seeing new sights, taking risks and facing new challenges? Are you interested in gaining a new perspective both as a student and global citizen? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you may want to consider one of the many study abroad international exchange programs that are currently available. Study abroad international exchange programs allow students just like you the opportunity to pursue academic excellence and diversity by studying in a foreign country. The programs also provide the perfect opportunity to learn about new cultures and to gain a new perspective on your own country by looking at it through the eyes of another country. The advantages of these study abroad programs are endless, and to illustrate that, in this article we will discuss some of the key benefits of participating in a study abroad international exchange program, including the academic profits and the opportunities for personal growth.

Study Abroad International Exchange: The Benefits

The study abroad international exchange experience is certainly not for every student, but it is for those who are seeking a different way of looking at the world—students who desire to experience the kindness, majesty and power in the cultures, customs and traditions of other people.

There are several academic benefits to studying in a foreign country. New language acquisition, for example, not only makes you a well-rounded person; it can also prove to be a significant advantage professionally in the future. Another academic advantage is the opportunity to look at problems from a new perspective, and to experience the history of another country first-hand by directly interacting with professors, fellow students and your host family. Most colleges and universities allow you to transfer your credits from your study abroad international exchange program back to your home school, so while some of your classmates will be going through the same old grind, you’ll be earning the same amount of credits while experiencing the wonderment and excitement of a foreign land.

Perhaps even more important than the academic benefits to studying abroad, are the opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. While most people live the majority of their lives seeing the world through a one-country perspective, you’ll become liberated from that way of thinking and learn to appreciate your duty and responsibility as a world citizen. You’ll encounter several challenges as a study abroad international exchange participant, affording you the opportunity to improve your character and problem-solving skills. Each and every day of your study abroad experience will be filled with new sights, sounds and tastes, and these are experiences that you will remember for a lifetime.

The program options for studying abroad are virtually limitless. As a study abroad international exchange student you can study subjects such as science and engineering in Germany, biology in Africa or South America, world religions in the Middle East or Literature in the United Kingdom. With literally thousands of programs and opportunities available, you are almost certain to find one that suits your unique interests.

Study Abroad Scholarships: Possible Funding Sources for Studying Abroad

Have you often considered studying abroad, but are afraid you can’t afford the accompanying expenses? Did you know that there are many study abroad scholarships available—funding opportunities for those who would like to study overseas? It’s true. There are currently several scholarships, grants and fellowships available, including study abroad scholarships that are open to everyone and those designed for certain underrepresented students. To illustrate this, below you will find a list that includes just a small sample of these opportunities, along with a brief description of each scholarship program.

Study Abroad Scholarships: Opportunities Available for All Students

Fulbright Program. The Fulbright program is one of the largest and most well-known scholarships for international exchange students. Based in the United States, the Fulbright program is designed to help students and working professionals earn their graduate degree in teaching and research, while simultaneously learning the customs and traditions in one of the 140 countries involved in the exchange program.

Rotary Club Ambassadorial Scholarships. The Rotary Club International is the most renowned service club in the world. Their popular study abroad scholarships program offers a number of financial opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students who wish to pursue a degree in vocational studies. While studying abroad, recipients of these study abroad scholarships will serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country, and give informational presentations about their homelands to other rotary clubs.

Golden Key Study Abroad Scholarships. The Golden Key study abroad scholarship offers ten, $1000 scholarships to undergraduate students who are currently participating in a study abroad program. Three of the 10 scholarships are presented in October, while the remaining 7 are given out in April each year.

Study Abroad Scholarships for Underrepresented Students.

Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship. The Gilman study abroad scholarships are designed to provide financial assistance to students who have been traditionally underrepresented in study abroad programs. Students in this category include community college students, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, disabled students and students who wish to pursue a degree in science and engineering. Students eligible for the Gilman scholarship include undergraduates who are currently enrolled in a 2 or 4 year college and are receiving financial assistance through the Pell Grant program.

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Scholarship Program. This study abroad scholarship program is designed to encourage Hispanic students in the United States to enroll at one of the 17 campuses in the Laureate International University network. Scholarships are presented once a year, providing full tuition and other assistance.

Joseph A. Towles African Study Abroad Scholarships. In memory of the beloved Dr. Joseph A. Towles, these study abroad scholarships are open to students currently receiving assistance from the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) program who wish to study abroad in Africa.

Summer Student Exchange: Summer Language Programs

Are you looking for an exciting new adventure this summer, one that combines meeting new people, exploring new sights, embracing a new culture and learning a new language? Have you considered a summer student exchange program in Europe—a program that offers language learning and plenty of time for sightseeing and cultural excursions? The European Summer Language Program offers students a unique opportunity to study a foreign language in some of the more fascinating regions in Europe, including France, Germany and Spain. These programs, which also allow an abundance of time for sightseeing and activities, can be an exhilarating way to spend a fun-filled summer while simultaneously earning some valuable high school credits in language arts. In this article we will take a closer look at this inimitable summer student exchange program, first by providing some general information about the European Summer Language program, followed by a closer look at one of the more popular regions the program is currently conducted, Antibes, France.

Summer Student Exchange: About the European Summer Language Program

The European Summer Language program is a 4-week summer student exchange for students who are 16-20 years of age. The program features structured language instruction with some of the finest language instructors in all of Europe, all of whom have a passion for teaching. There are many exciting, educational and cultural excursions offered to local areas of interest. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to participate in recreational activities together, with added time to explore the community and culture of the region; the shops, art galleries, sports, restaurants and beautiful landscapes.

Summer student exchange participants will stay with host families who, in addition to providing room and board, will provide supervision on many of the excursions and supply structure in the student’s schedule. Staying with a host family also offers students additional opportunities for language acquisition and a great resource for learning the customs, traditions, and history of the region.

Summer Student Exchange: Language Learning in France

The French component of the European Summer Language Program is located on the Cote d’ Azur in Antibes, a region very near to Nice, Cannes and Italy. The region offers a bounty of historical sites and cultural activities, with hundreds of tiny streets and shops that are perfect for students to explore when in town.

Students will live and take their meals with local host families during the 4-week program, giving them the opportunity to learn some of the French customs, history and traditions firsthand. Structured language classes are held in the morning, 5 days a week, with qualified French instructors, many of whom have been with the program for several years. To ensure students receive the appropriate instruction, classes will split into 3 categories, beginner, intermediate, advanced, based on their knowledge and comprehension of the French language. During the afternoons students can explore the local community and sights, and with lots of cultural excursions on the weekend the program offers students a very well-rounded experience they will not soon forget.

What Can I Find in a Directory of Study Abroad Programs?

Are you considering the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend school overseas, if even for one semester? Do you need more information about study abroad programs, including what these programs entail and the candidacy requirements for each program? There are many, many different ways to study abroad, with programs available for almost any interest, but getting started can often pose quite a challenge. If you are a high school student, for example, you could of course check with the school guidance counselor, but many of these professionals can be very overworked, and are therefore not very current in their knowledge of study abroad opportunities. Even some college students find it complicated to find the appropriate on-campus resources that can help answer their questions.

Fortunately, with the widespread popularity of the Internet, finding information on study abroad programs has never been easier. There are now many international exchange programs with a website on which students can browse through a directory of study abroad programs, getting answers to questions that range from “how much does it cost to study abroad” to “what are the requirements of each program.” To illustrate this, below we will outline just some of the crucial pieces of information you can usually cull from a directory of study abroad programs, which in most cases, also includes the name of a contact person that can help answer any further questions.

Directory of Study Abroad Programs: What Information Is Available?

A directory of study abroad programs is a great tool when performing preliminary research on studying overseas. Some of the information you can locate includes:

Type of Program. A directory of study abroad programs will generally place programs into two general categories, representing the two basic types of international education programs: Study Abroad and Exchange. A study abroad program may span one semester, an entire school year, or be more short-term in nature, such as a 4-week program during summer or winter intersession. They will typically consist of courses that are aimed at a particular course of study, including language acquisition, and are taught by instructors at the host school. Exchange programs usually span one semester or academic year, and are very similar to study abroad programs in terms of courses and instruction. However, the major difference between the two programs is in the word “exchange.” In an exchange program, when a student goes to study in a host country, a student from that country is sent in exchange to study in the United States.

Requirements. A directory of study abroad programs will also list the program’s requirements. This can include eligibility requirements, such as a specific grade point average, or requirements after acceptance, such as the travel documents a student will need to participate.

Cost and Financial Aid. Also to be found in a directory of student abroad programs is the cost of each program, and resources through which students can apply for financial assistance and scholarships.

Living Arrangements. Living arrangements could include both on and off-campus housing, along with living with a host family.

This is just a small sample of the wealth of information you can discover in a directory of study abroad programs, and collectively, these directories make it easier than ever to research academic opportunities overseas.