By Lorena NavaSenior Staff Writer
A study released by the Institute for the International Educationof Students found studying abroad has long-lasting effects on collegestudents.
During the summer of 2002, the nonprofit institute sent surveyforms to students who had participated in its study abroad programsduring the past 50 years. Of the 3,000 people who responded to thesurvey, half said they worked or volunteered abroad after graduationand 59 percent said they had returned to visit or work in the countrywhere they had studied abroad. Ninety percent of those who respondedsaid their experiences led them to seek greater diversity infriendships as well.
“Now I can go anywhere in the world and I have a place to stay,”Clarissa Grayson, an international business and graphics designjunior, said.
In her yearlong study abroad program in Japan, Grayson was able tostudy with students from across the globe. She met students from theUnited Kingdom, China, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Canada and, of course,Japan.
According to Assistant Director for Education Abroad RobertCarolin, there are many reasons for studying abroad. Unlike manystudents who study abroad for the programs offered, many go simply tohave a new cultural experience, he said.
“It’s not about the place, it’s about the people,” Sarah Krim, apsychology senior who participated in a program in the Netherlands,said. “It was the best experience ever.”
There are also many benefits to studying abroad. Carolin said manystudents often tell stories after graduation of how their studyabroad program helped them get a job or into a graduate studiesprogram.
“Academia is very good at teaching hard skills,” Carolin said.”What they don’t teach is soft skills.”
Soft skills, Carolin said, include being able to deal with peoplefrom other cultures, deal with ambiguity and thinking “outside thebox.” Soft skills are attained in study abroad experiences studentscannot get only at San Diego State, Carolin said.
In the survey, it was also reported 96 percent experienced greaterself-confidence and more than one-third still use the language skillsthey learned during their study abroad experiences.
However, there can be disadvantages to studying abroad, Carolinsaid.
“The student needs to be mentally prepared for the study abroadexperience,” Carolin said. “If they’re not ready, they’ll have a hardtime studying.”
According to an International Student Center model on theadjustment process, students may experience many emotional ups anddowns in entering and exiting a culture. There are nine “steps” inthe process, including a honeymoon period of initial excitement,mental adjustment, mental isolation, return anxiety, re-entry shockand re-integration.
“The hardest part was getting back and having to relearn English,”Grayson said.
While many students mention cost as a burden, it can actually becheaper or cost about the same as living in San Diego, Carolin said.A four- to six- week program costs about $2,500 to $3,500. Semesterprograms cost anywhere between $4,800 and $8,000, and yearlongprograms can range from $10,000 to $18,000, Carolin said. He saidstudents can use their financial aid toward their study abroad costs.
Carolin said in the three years he has been at SDSU, he has seenrecruitment and student participation grow because of support fromthe provost and the vice president of Student Affairs. He said whenhe started, there were about 400 students studying abroad and nowthere are more than 1,000. The top three countries students visitinclude Australia, the United Kingdom and Mexico.
