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Printer-Friendly ModeOverseas experience worthwhile
February 26, 2007 —
The thing I remember most about that day is how jerky the donkey ride was. Hanging on to the animal's scratchy hide for dear life, I rode along a narrow path, halfway up the side of a cliff. Far below, the Aegean Sea crashed on the shore. That's when it hit me... my study abroad in Greece was far from normal.
Let's be blunt: we live in a global world, and what happens anywhere in the world will ultimately affect you. For those of you who don't believe me, let me paint you a picture:
1) America has single-handedly started a war in a foreign nation.
2) Federal tax money (yes, your money) is funding numerous world-wide relief and peacekeeping missions (as well as a war).
3) Outsourcing - it's not the name of a new emo band.
I'm not asking you to take a side on the pros and cons of this situation. I'm just noticing that we aren't living in a bubble. The sooner we realize this, the better. And that's where study abroad comes in.
When I began my three-month adventure in Athens, Greece, I quickly realized what it meant to live in a different culture. I experienced the dizzying effects of dealing with a whole new set of social rules. I learned to live without the comforts and securities I was accustomed to at home. And very interestingly, I learned how it felt to be a minority. Growing up as a white, middle-class male, this experience proved to be very enlightening.
But the benefits of study abroad don't end with your personal enrichment. Employers appreciate an applicant that can demonstrate an understanding of other cultures. A former co-worker told me just the other day that her international experience was a large factor in securing her new internship.
Study abroad also offers you a chance to study in a truly unique study environment. I can attest to this from personal experience. There is no better way to learn Greek than from a native speaker in their native country. Your entire day becomes an exercise in the language. And few things are more awesome than hearing a lecture on Greek history while standing on the spot where history took place.
Remember King Agamemnon from the "Iliad?" I visited his castle and stood in his bathroom. Or remember when Oedipus Rex traveled to the Oracle at Delphi? I retraced his steps and visited the same spot.
Now maybe some are thinking, "If only I had the money..." Please don't let money stop you. The financial aid you are currently receiving can be transferred to your study abroad trips.
Student Association and the Office of International Programs also offer scholarships for study abroad. And if an entire semester of study is beyond your means, consider a spring or summer semester abroad. And remember - you earn SVSU credit while abroad.
So there you have it - study abroad is possible. If this sounds interesting, make an appointment to visit the Office of International Programs in Wickes 160. Ask to talk to Stephanie Sieggreen. Tell her that I sent you, and she'll tell you all about your options for upcoming study abroad experiences. Actually, she'll talk to you regardless, but tell her I said "hi."
But do it soon - the application deadline for spring, summer, and fall semesters is March 15. Winter's deadline is Oct. 15.
And consider checking out the study abroad fair on Wednesday, Feb. 28 in the Alumni Lounge. You can hear firsthand stories from the people who have been there, including myself. It runs from 1-6 p.m.
Don't let the opportunity to gain a global perspective pass you by - find out what study abroad can offer you.
If you're interested, I kept a blog of what my study abroad experience offered me: ahastudyabroad.org/programs/greece/athens/student-blog.