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Study Abroad Programs

Written on 12 November 2009 by Mark Lewis. Make a comment.

Preconceived notions of college have always emphasized the campus and classroom environment. If you’re one of the lucky ones you stumble upon an opportunity to build on your knowledge and experiences beyond campus borders. I was lucky to learn about international studies and work abroad.

It was my sophomore year of college and I was moving into my new on-campus apartment for the semester. It was a two-bedroom apartment with a common area and shared kitchen. My roommate was new to the room as well but our suite mates had been friends and already living in the apartment when we moved in.

Over the semester we became friends and I would learn that my current roommate would be moving out. My suite mates told me about their friend who had been working abroad during the semester and the likelihood that he would be my next roommate.

Given how nice my suite mates were, I was excited to meet my new roommate. Little did I’d know he would end up changing my life.

The first day he moved in we spent time getting to know one another. He’d just come back from working in Scotland. He spoke about a program where he could work overseas and get college credit. I was familiar with working locally, Northeastern University had a mandatory work program, but I had no idea it could be done in other countries.

I spent the rest of the day learning more about his work abroad and who I needed to see the following day. Eventually, I would find myself in a six-month internship in Belfast, Northern Ireland working for PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Once you go international, it’s hard to go back home

If you’ve ever been to Belfast, Northern Ireland, you know it’s not a tropical paradise. Yet, my experience was very special; I don’t know if it was the fact that I was truly independent or the excitement of something new around every corner. Perhaps it was a combination of both.

After my six month adventure in Belfast I pursued a job in Australia and New Zealand. The experience of working an internship at home paled in comparison to working overseas. In fact, the excitement of travel was so lurring that I aso applied and was accepted into Semester at Sea during the fall voyage that year. Semester at Seais a study abroad program where you attend classes at sea and get to travel while in port.

During Semester at Sea I would receive an e-mail confirming my hard work during the summer. I had secured an internship with a financial company in Melbourne, Australia. Unfortunately, I was never able to fill that internship because about a month later while in the Seychelles I suffered a catastrophic injury.

My experiences abroad had and continue to have a positive impact on my life.

Why should you work/study abroad?

• Kill two birds with one stone. Most colleges allow you to transfer credits earned studying abroad to your home college. It’s a rare opportunity to continue forward momentum with your studies and have amazing experiences that may be less attainable upon graduation.
• Become less egocentric. People have a tendency to put their own culture as the one to compare all others. They perceive only their home ideals and experiences to be normal. Immersing yourself in another culture helps overcome this attitude. It’s an eye awakening experience and will make you a better person.
• Opportunity and experience. Academia is your home and the world is your playground. Traveling can open doors and great opportunity that you never imagined. Who knows what you’ll discover!
• Change the world. Shelley Seale knows how to travel with a purpose. Study abroad and working abroad can also benefit where you travel. Perhaps you might want to volunteer overseas at an orphanage?

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