Debunking Study Abroad Myths

Myth No. 1: Study Abroad is only for language students

While there’s no doubt that many people go abroad to improve their skills in a second (or third, or forth) language, that is by no means the only reason to go abroad! Lots of programs have classes in English, in destinations where English is the main language of communication. If languages aren’t your thing, why should you deny yourself the horizon-broadening benefits of spending time out of your comfort zone? With a lesser language barrier you might be able to devote more attention to the subtler differences – nuances in communication styles, cultural mores etc, that might otherwise escape you if you were desperately trying to dredge up high school memories of how to ask for directions to the train station! Then if other languages are spoken in your destination you can choose to acquire some vocab, rather than feeling completely isolated and frustrated because of your lack of fluency!

Myth No. 2: Study Abroaders just hang out together and don’t integrate with locals

Yes we’ve all seen them – gaggles of American students sitting in McDonalds or Starbucks in various far-flung corners of the world, ordering their old favourite, and having the same conversation with the person next to them that they would if they were sitting in San Diego, St. Louis or Seattle. However this myth would have you believe this situation is the inevitable consequence of choosing to study abroad. Not so we say! Plenty of students have immensely richer experiences by deliberately choosing programs that involved collaboration and project work with local students, and even off-campus community projects, where local immersion is guaranteed.

Myth No. 3: Students on a semester study abroad see more of the beach than the inside of a lecture hall.

Study Abroad is an easy way to have a ‘semester off’ and still earn academic credit. Choose a study abroad program that is exceptional in its setting / content / requirements way it challenges you to adapt, grow and learn new skills and you’ll never be accused of taking the easy option…

Myth No. 4: My Study Abroad experience won’t be valued by employers when I’m looking for a job

Now that you’ve picked a unique and great program you need to learn how to market that difference. Be prepared to speak in a knowledgeable and eloquent way about both your destination city/country, and your experience there – including cultural differences, challenges you had to overcome, and how it changed your perspective about life abroad and back home.

Myth No. 5: Nobody worth a damn ever studied abroad

Many, many sucessful people have studied abroad! It seems that everyone who’s anyone has spent time studying in a foreign country, including countless CEOs and business people, journalists, members of the government, scientists, actors, writers – and the list goes on. Everyone from Copernicus to Dian ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ Fossey to Liz Lemon have studied abroad! Additional highlights include: Einstein, Amelia Earhart, WEB DuBois, Vera Wang, Ai Weiwei, the founders of Crocs, Partners in Healthcare, and Linkedin, etc! Check out the full list here: Famous People Who’ve Studied Abroad.

What are some other misconceptions you’ve heard about study abroad?  Share them in the comments section below!