Is Abroad the Only Way to Broaden? by joAnn

Is Abroad the Only Way to Broaden? by joAnn - March 2016 Scholarship Essay

Is Abroad the Only Way to Broaden?
Studying abroad while in college may add dimension and diversity to one’s educational experience, and while the option should be made more obtainable to students, it should not be a requirement.
A requirement to study abroad is simply not feasible to many students for numerous reasons. Some of these may be; a need to adhere to a work attendance, being the primary caretaker of others, medical issues, or perhaps mental health difficulties that inhibit the ability to travel. None of these things should keep someone from obtaining a desired education, and it’s fairly well known that these things present their own challenges when seeking higher education. To overcome said challenges yet still be unable to meet graduation requirements because you are unable travel is quite frankly, absurd.
Studying abroad has many benefits, but these are probably more important to some fields more than others. For example, a social work student traveling to assist vulnerable populations is very beneficial to the field of social work, but the field of say, accounting may see benefits of traveling abroad. Certainly benefits still exist but are perhaps less vital to the students education. To require all students to partake is not equitable and reduced the students right to self-determination and autonomy.
To further support this point of view, there are also ways to expand and “broaden” ones educational experience without involving travel. These can include involvement locally with different communities and cultures, as well as adding cultural competence and diversity to ones learning agenda.
Broadening ones views and perceptions requires an open mind, a desire to be aware, and belief in equity; it does not, however, require travel.