Studying Abroad: An Necessity to a College Education by Sean

Studying Abroad: An Necessity to a College Education by Sean - March 2016 Scholarship Essay

While attending the University of Arizona, the offer of studying abroad was a continuous opportunity given to students to expand their education outside the United States. Many majors provided students various research and learning experiences in different cultural environments in hopes of grasping more knowledge that pertained to what they are studying. Many students took advantage of this opportunity to further their education by understanding international culture and lifestyle. Personally, the idea of studying abroad is crucial to an undergraduate due to the student practicing real world work outside of a typical classroom lecture. Studying abroad not only gives the student experience with the material they are studying, but also the opportunity of gaining the knowledge when dealing with a variance of people with different lifestyles and backgrounds.
In order to be successful in a student’s future career, the ability to multi-task and handle difficult situations is imperative. Whether one is studying business, medicine, fashion design, etc. the interaction with people is continual in one’s career. Therefore, the student must be able to handle settings a diverse group of people. That being said, studying abroad gives the student real world experience. Not only have they been accustomed to interacting with their peers at their university, but also being abroad gives the student chances to network with international people and possible potential career opportunities. Many study abroad programs purposely provide students within the curriculum to be instructed by international professionals. For example, the major that I am currently studying is Public Health. The reason that I chose this major was due to the passion and desire to make the world a healthier place. I believe that health disparities around the world are not getting enough attention to make a difference. In order to fully grasp what I am studying, I was given multiple opportunities to study abroad with a variety of medical techniques that different countries use to increase the health expectancy of their nation. This included natural medicine in China, studying human sexuality in the Netherlands, and health education in Mexico. These programs were provided to expand my knowledge in order to be the best health profession that I can be.
Aside from possible career opportunities, a major incentive for studying abroad is to experience a culture one is not accustomed to. Many programs offered at the University of Arizona gives students a chance to study any place of their interest. This should be required for students in order to learn different culture and lifestyles with people around the world. Any student would agree that being able to learn outside of their usual environment would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Therefore, colleges and universities should make this a requirement pertaining to their particular major to gain essential communication skills for their future endeavors. If one would decide to continue their future career internationally, the education of and practice of communicating with different cultures must be learned. Many students do not realize that various countries live a completely different lifestyle that most students are not used to. The proper education of living through their culture will be nothing but helpful when networking with whatever the student intends on doing in their future.
Overall, the idea of making a study abroad option a requirement to one’s college career, is essential. The reason that it should be implemented in their curriculum is that it not only gives networking opportunities to both the student and international companies, but also gives the student more knowledge on different cultures and lifestyles they are not familiarized with. In order to be successful in one’s future endeavors, the skill of professionally and respectfully interacting with a variety of people with different lifestyles and backgrounds is highly recommended. This not only gives the student more networking opportunities for their desired career choices, but also gives them the expansion of knowledge and cultural background in their personal lives.