Why?

<p>why do college students study abroad?
whats the point?</p>

<p>To experience another culture and another way of life. College is one of the few times in life when you get do something for a long time (4 years) knowing all the while that you get to come back. That's an ideal set-up for trying something new.</p>

<p>To give you insight into the fact that America is not the center of the Universe, despite how we often think here. To expose you to cultures much older than our own. So that you can see archicture that surpasses anything you will see at home in general. To be exposed to the world's best music, art, crafte, food. To experience the magic of the world at large. There is the magic of Europe, that of Africa and the wonders of South America. Asia is another fabulous world. I hope to keep going and I wish it for all of you.</p>

<p>The question posed, however could be more complicated than we think. Yes the standard answer would be "to expose a student to another non-american way of life". However, having gone on a college off-campus program, the reality is that even at the best schools with academically gifted students, most of them don't care. They do it because often its seen as a vacation. Grading is often less stringent on these programs, and there is often plenty of time for free choice travel. Even on a language program, where students allegedly are being immersed in a culture, they end up speaking a lot of english and sticking to american culture.</p>

<p>A lot of schools promote abroad programs in the same way that new facilities or sports opportunities are promoted. It is a bit of a scam, as colleges actually end up making money off of these programs, particularly when student accomidations and services are much less than they would be for an on-campus program, yet the school charges regular tuition and often some type of premium as well on the bill for the privledge of going on the program.</p>

<p>It is about time parents become critical of these program. Like charter high schools, the perceived benefit may be a lot less than the reality.</p>

<p>Hmm...I assumed (perhaps wrongly) that the OP was asking about actually enrolling in a foreign university, not just spending a semester abroad.</p>

<p>As a 20 year old, I went off to spian and found anything but a vacation. I found hard work that paid off in ways I could not have imagined. My eyes were opened, as were theirs welcoming a black girl into their community. We all learned a great deal those 5 months!</p>

<p>I can't tell you what "a lot of schools" do. I can only say something about Smith. It has the oldest continuing programs in western Europe of any college or university in the country - in Florence, Paris, Geneva, and Hamburg - they go back more than 80 years (to a time when Smithies were often the wives of ambassadors and consular people, and were expected to be fully conversant in European languages.) It costs them more - A LOT more -- in these countries than to have the students in Northampton. They charge no premium (unlike some other schools, including Princeton),and even pay for the airfare. Financial aid follows the student - and in the Geneva and Florence programs, students can actually take on internships. They require two years of intensive language study before a student can attend (most of the programs in Italy require only one), plus a course in "stylistics". Students take a pledge not to use English in any part of the program. One has to enrol in the program for an entire year. Students live in families with long-established ties to Smith - and they too have to pledge not to use English.</p>

<p>There really are differences among programs, and it is necessary to kick the tires.</p>

<p>DS really wants to study abroad next year. Unfortunately his is a limited enrollment program and while he applied, it is unlikely that he will be accepted. The opportunity to study abroad is both exciting and very educational for most students. It gives them a perspective on what is happening outside of their own little "burg" and also some experience with educational practices outside of the U.S. It's really too bad that every student who wants to study outside of the country can't be given that opportunity. It wasn't even an option in my undergrad program...too bad....I wish it had been.</p>