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In an increasingly global world, the educational landscape is looking more and more different! The 21st century saw a growing number of universities and colleges allowing students to expand their horizons through travel opportunities. Partly, this is meant to prepare students for a globalized world.
The global experience allows students to explore the world beyond their campus. They will not only get to visit faraway places across the globe but also experience how to immerse in a completely different culture, which lets them gain richer perspectives, expand their understanding, and thrive outside the classroom.
Traveling as part of their education also enables students to gain deeper insights that will not only shape their educational experience but also equip them with essential skills that will be quite useful in their everyday lives. It includes the ability to feel compassion and gain confidence to take on challenges that come their way.
Global travel opportunities also allow them to build their connection and global network. They will go home with a more open mind, challenging their preconceived ideas and providing them with enriching experiences that will help them become more receptive to different cultures and viewpoints.
Colleges and Universities that Offer Global Travel Experiences
University of North Carolina Greensboro
Each year, the University of North Carolina Greensboro helps students open themselves to new possibilities as they engage in study, research, service, and cultural immersion opportunities.
Through the university’s International Programs Center, interested students will find numerous options that will enhance their educational and professional experiences. This is made possible through the partnerships built by the IPC with other institutions all over the world.
In particular, the study abroad program provides students with the opportunity to gain a rewarding and transformative experience. They will also gain intercultural competencies in the process while helping them develop more confidence and independence.
The university, in fact, hosts a state-wide exchange program with Baden-Wuerttemberg, which is open to all students across the University of North Carolina System.
University of Denver
As part of its commitment to a truly international education, the University of Denver offers several study abroad programs that let students readily apply their coursework directly in affected regions.
For students seeking an international career, this opportunity presents a meaningful cultural experience that goes beyond what a vacation trip can offer. One of the many reasons for this richer experience is the chance for students to do a complete immersion in another culture.
Students are given the opportunity to learn to adjust to a new culture, keeping in mind to function within a new set of social customs and values. In a lot of cases, they will even learn how to speak a foreign language fluently, allowing them to return home with a wider perspective of the world.
Students will also gain skills that will serve as assets as they take on more challenging professional roles, especially in the international relations arena. Offered under the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, the University of Denver’s Travel & Study Abroad program lets students explore 150 programs in 50 countries without additional tuition costs.
Flagler College
Under the Lifelong Learning Institute, Flagler College offers students one-of-a-kind global travel experiences. The new Travel Experience programs provide experiential learning opportunities that aim to ignite students’ passion for exploring different cultures, architecture, and traditions across various domestic and international destinations.
As one of its benefits, those who choose to become members of the Flagler College Lifelong Learning Institution will be able to receive discounts on all travel experiences.
Some of the travel opportunities offered under the programs include the Winter Christmas Market Tour. This trip allows students to explore the rich history of Christmas Markets across Germany. Other trips involve experiencing the wildlife safari in Tanzania and exploring the Yucatan region’s ancient ruins and captivating colonial cities.
The University of Vermont
The University of Vermont offers travel-based experiences to its students, intending to develop their intercultural competency. This opportunity also allows them to hone their problem-solving abilities while forming a strong bond with their cohort.
The travel experiences are offered at various lengths to help fit them around the students’ schedules. Various options are given to interested students, including short-term opportunities in the form of travel study and semester-long opportunities through studying abroad.
The Study Abroad programs help students develop and hone skills that will give them a competitive edge in the workplace. Most of these cost no more, and sometimes less than a semester would be on-campus.
The classes abroad can be taken in a foreign language or English, allowing students to choose a program that will best suit their academic goals.
Emory University
As an essential component of the student learning experience, global education is promoted at Emory University. The Global Student Travel Support was established to give students access to global education experiences, aiming to leverage opportunities to thrive in diverse global settings while contributing to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Every year, Emory University offers more than 90 Education Abroad programs.
One of these is the Semester Abroad program, which offers three types of experiences. This includes full immersion, island-style, or a combination of both. Students may also take advantage of the Summer Abroad programs such as Arabic Language and North African Studies, Biology in Australia, European Politics, and Global Health Nutrition in Peru, among many others.
After returning from the Education Abroad program, students are expected to continue building on the skills and experiences they gained, with several opportunities to share their experience with other prospective Education Abroad students.
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh offers students a global experience to help them develop essential and career-ready skills. Through the support of the Global Experiences Office, programs are developed to facilitate educational experience opportunities across more than 75 countries. Students who want to work on a global scale eventually can participate in various global programs.
One great example of such a program is the Himalayas program. This program offers students the chance to immerse themselves in the environment and culture of the mountain ranges of the Himalayas. Students participated in field expeditions and collaborated with a community-based conservation project while engaging with their host families.
In the Public Health Threats in Suriname, students learned all about public health and environmental issues from an international perspective. They get to participate in lectures, service-learning opportunities, and field trips in the South American country. This is in combination with learning about the threats that affect the people, health, and ecosystems of Suriname.
Pennsylvania College of Technology
The Pennsylvania College of Technology offers global experience opportunities with various study abroad programs. These programs aim to help students experience another culture firsthand while gaining marketable and essential skills. They are also expected to develop new perspectives that will enhance their educational experience.
Some of the Global Experiences courses include the International Automotive Studies offered in France and Italy. In this program, students will be able to visit international automobile manufacturer facilities and visit sites in the said countries, focusing on manufacturing, assembly, and repair processes.
Other available programs for studying abroad include Art and Architecture of Antiquity in London and Sustainable Design in Eastern Europe. Some of the study abroad programs may only be available to students in specific majors. One needs to keep in mind that costs related to tuition, housing, and travel may vary per program.
Georgetown University
Georgetown is well known for leading the way among universities in the country in reaching out to the world, and it continues to do so through its offerings of study abroad opportunities to all its students. Currently, Georgetown University’s students are enrolled in various overseas study opportunities in 57 countries, and for undergraduates, there are up to 213 available programs!
Students applying to study abroad programs are primarily encouraged to seek out options for direct enrollment in their country of choice, particularly in English-speaking countries or those that use French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, or Italian as their mode of instruction.
There are, however, a number of other study abroad options that are open, including Area Studies, language programs, service learning courses, and faculty-led summer study programs. More comprehensive information is available through the Georgetown’s Office of Global Education.
Temple University
Temple University stands out as part of a handful of universities in the United States that also operate a number of overseas campuses. As such, Temple University encourages its students to spend some of their academic time abroad and have a range of options and arrangements for overseas study.
Temple University’s study abroad programs are primarily open to its full-time students with good academic standing. Temple, however, maintains partnerships with over 300 colleges and universities throughout the country and is also open to accepting visiting students into its range of program offerings.
Duke University
Duke University encourages its students to take time to study away; it considers studying away to be an important part of their experience at Duke. Duke administers over 40 of its programs approved for overseas study, which come from a wide range of disciplines.
Duke’s study abroad opportunities are either through its programs (Duke-In) or through its Duke-Approved list of programs offered by other institutions. This list is updated yearly and will be considered as transfer credit.
Oregon State University
As one of the top-tier public universities in its home state, Oregon State University supports a wide range of study-abroad opportunities for its students. These opportunities range from exclusive departmental programs, faculty-led programs, research-oriented study abroad options, University Exchange, and faculty-led programs.
Crucially, Oregon State University is also home to the long-running IE3 Global program, which, together with partner institutions abroad, offers opportunities for international study and internship opportunities.
Overall cost, meanwhile, varies depending on the program being offered, but most financial options can be used towards studying abroad. OSU also offers a number of scholarships that are specifically for overseas study or internship.
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada in Reno features a number of ways for students to engage with the world and take part in valuable cultural exposure and immersion experiences while studying. The University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) is the largest by far in terms of coverage, giving options for study in up to 50 eligible locations across 27 countries.
USAC also features opportunities for internships, volunteering, and others. The university’s Nevada Global Business Program, meanwhile, consists of week-long, for-credit courses, and the university’s Engineering Exchange program makes use of the university’s partnership with technical universities across the globe.
The University of Nevada in Reno is also one of the 15 universities that offer the Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching (COST) program, which gives overseas teaching opportunities to education students. UNR also features a range of funding opportunities for overseas study, primarily in the form of scholarships.
Shenandoah University
Known for its close-knit community of students, faculty, and alumni, Shenandoah University offers a range of unique opportunities for study and cultural exposure abroad. Shenandoah’s Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program is a faculty-led study abroad program that is offered during the winter break & spring breaks and in the summer. Locations vary every year, and the program has sent students to over 30 countries since its start in 2000.
Shenandoah also lets students spend up to an entire semester of study abroad, either through their membership in the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) or through their direct partnerships with universities.
The highlight of Shenandoah University’s set of overseas experiences is its highly unique Global Citizenship Project (GCP). It is structured as deep cultural exposure rather than simply a study abroad program. It is competitive, with only 60 students, faculty, and staff selected every year.
Their destinations vary every year, and participants get to know where they will go long after having signed on, which adds to the excitement. The GCP program is also all-costs included.
DeSales University
DeSales University offers a range of international opportunities for its students, all designed with the goal of exposing them to different cultures and experiences and widening their perspectives of the world. Each year, over 165 students go on these overseas trips for academic or other university-related experiences.
Some of DeSales University’s courses are offered with a global travel component, and students can also go on International Spring Break trips. Likewise, DeSales also has Study Abroad arrangements with over ten universities for a semester-long study abroad, all for the same cost as their semester at DeSales, and with the added benefit of financial aid coverage.
Students can also go on service-learning programs, and varsity students get the chance to participate in international athletic competitions.
To be eligible for international experiences, students must typically be in good academic and disciplinary standing, be either sophomore or a junior student in most cases, and their applications must come with recommendation letters from at least one full-time faculty member.
Suffolk University
Suffolk University has a number of study abroad options open for their students. Along with a handful of other universities in the country, Suffolk University has a satellite campus overseas, in this case in Madrid, Spain.
Students can choose to study at the Madrid campus throughout the summer, a semester, or even a full academic year. As part of Suffolk’s Global Gateway Program, select freshmen get to travel to the Madrid campus for a week during their spring semester.
Aside from the Madrid campus, students can also apply to Suffolk’s Exchange/Direct Enroll and Affiliate programs, partnered with a range of approved programs in 30 different countries, or go on Academic Travel Seminars.
Like other universities, students must be of good academic standing to be eligible for these opportunities, and semester-long study opportunities are typically open to sophomores and juniors only. Suffolk University also offers a range of options to help students finance their studies abroad, primarily through their financial aid and a host of other scholarships.
The Benefits of Global Travel Experiences
One of the best ways for students to learn about themselves and challenge their deep-rooted worldviews is traveling. Every year, millions of people cross borders, whether it is for business or leisure.
For many college students, traveling internationally means acquiring essential skills that will enhance their educational experience and advance their future career prospects.
Since a travel abroad opportunity is often offered in many colleges and universities, many students find themselves grabbing the chance to take part in such programs. Below are its basic benefits:
Students see the world from a different perspective.
Students who travel abroad to study and learn will find their closely held beliefs challenged and their perspectives shift. They will gain a deeper understanding of the world around them, allowing them to develop a broad awareness of how people live and how cultures shape their lives. This will often inspire them to look into themselves and reflect on the way they live.
Students establish connections relevant to their degree program or career path.
Many global travel and study abroad programs provide students with ample opportunities to build their network of contacts and references. They will meet new people and learn an alternative way of getting things done. This learning experience will help them in their future careers.
As students widen their horizons, they improve their academic performance.
Travel does not only expand one’s understanding. It is also a great way for students to gain experiences that will inform and improve their academic performance. They will find opportunities to apply what they learned inside the classroom in the real world.
Having grown confident and independent, they will be able to see what they are capable of accomplishing, which can then extend to their performance inside the classroom.
Top Tips for Making the Most of Time Spent Abroad
Traveling abroad can be an exciting and sometimes overwhelming experience for students, especially in a country new to them. Some academic travels are short—too short, in fact, for some—and in order to make the most of your stay abroad, here are some key points to keep in mind before, during, and after your travels.
1. Plan ahead.
This is a requirement for all overseas travel experiences. Planning includes considerations for funding, accommodations, and even arrangements in case of emergency. Universities will have their specifics and arrangements, which must be harmonized with any personal ones you may have in mind.
A good idea is to talk to past students who have gone through the same program in order to gain valuable insights into their experiences and any valuable tips they may be able to give.
2. Don’t think like a tourist.
This sits at the top of any student’s priority list for their stay abroad. Study abroad opportunities are meant to expose students to a deeper level of cultural exchange and experience that informs and elevates their education.
3. Show respect and humility.
Never assume that you and your culture are superior in any way to the locals. Throughout your stay, keep an open mind to all the experiences and realities you will get exposed to, and always respect your host country’s people, culture, customs and traditions. Coming from a position of humility and openness paves the way for genuine interactions and a more meaningful time spent abroad.
4. Go deep.
Your time spent abroad is limited, so you might as well make the most of it. Meet the locals, talk to them, and listen to their stories. Go beyond what tourists typically visit in that country and get to know as many cultural nuances as you can, including their history. As long as it is within the bounds of what is safe, reasonable, and achievable, it pays to do a cultural deep dive during your stay abroad.
5. Make connections and keep them.
Academic experiences abroad are also meant to help students build lifelong connections and partnerships that span the globe. Make it a point to keep in touch with the locals and hosts who have made your stay abroad worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can study or gain a travel experience opportunity abroad?
Many colleges and universities give both undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to study abroad or take part in global travel experiences as part of their education. Usually, students must be at least 18 years old and have completed two semesters at their current school.
Some universities may require them to meet a particular GPA. There are also travel experience opportunities that are available to students who are currently taking a specific major, usually with a travel program that is relevant to their chosen field.
Students who want to enrich their educational experience and pursue their passion for traveling while learning will find global travel experiences quite attractive. They will be able to explore places, meet new people, and expand their understanding and perspectives in the process.
Why should you apply for academic experiences abroad when it’s easier to go on trips as a tourist?
The experience of seeing the world and immersing in cultures as a student is very different from being a tourist, and it’s safe to say the former is more meaningful and impactful. Sure, traveling abroad as a tourist is a far easier option for the majority of people, but the length of time tourists typically spend in a different country is too short to gain any genuine insights and experience.
Students stay far longer in another country than a typical tourist and get to know that country’s people and culture much deeper and more intimately as more experiences are open to them beyond the pre-prepared set of tourism sites. The depth and breadth of the cultural exchange studying abroad, in turn, has a deeper and more long-lasting impact on a student’s and person’s overall outlook on life and view of the world.
Will spending time abroad as a student benefit your prospects as a professional?
Career readiness and marketability as a professional relies on a number of different factors, but generally, having spent time abroad—especially through academic credit-bearing experiences—can translate to global or intercultural fluency, which is generally seen by industry as a key aspect or core competency of career readiness, including by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Key Takeaways
Throughout our lives, we should make the most of all learning opportunities that come our way. It is especially true for study abroad and similar experiences: Not everyone gets to go to college, and an even smaller proportion of students get to go on trips abroad.
The global experience puts students in a special position of having had the chance to enjoy an important experience early on in their lives, and one that has the potential to widen and benefit their overall view of the world. With the right program and the right planning, students can make their time spent studying abroad a safe, enjoyable, and very meaningful one.
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