As you consider all of the benefits of embarking on a study abroad endeavor this summer, you may find that there is more to your trip than just pleasure. Businesses nowadays are operating more and more on a global level, making any international learning experience listed on your resume invaluable when it comes to helping you make the transition from student to professional.
International relations arena becomes cozier
As you wrap up your studies and proceed on your career path, you could come to the conclusion that it is truly a small world after all. The World Bank explained that globalization has been growing stronger as international interdependence has continued to expand. Countries – no matter the extent of their development or the amount of authority they bear – appear to be relying on one another more heavily. This phenomenon has gained momentum in recent decades due to technological advancements that have made everything from communication to transportation easier.
Chances are that you are no stranger to the concept of globalization, and you are likely to come across it over the course of your international affairs and business curriculum. After dissecting this topic in depth, you are probably going to have a more solid understanding of how nations are tied together. While economics happens to be one of the fields most often associated with globalization, studying abroad may show you that there is so much more at stake when it comes to this popular trend.
Study abroad can foster globally oriented thinking
Richard Falk, professor of International Law and Politics at Princeton University, and Nancy Kanach, director of the Office of International Programs at the same institution, emphasized the link between study abroad programs and globalization in an essay featured in Frontiers Journal. These scholars express the importance of students heading overseas in developing more profound international perspectives, which could greatly benefit people as they make their way into the workforce.
That being said, a more nuanced and comprehensive view of the globe is not going to come to you through osmosis. These Princeton academics explained that American students have to approach these experiences with the right attitude. You need to have the proper mentality going into your study abroad summer to better ensure that individuals you encounter will be open to sharing their culture with you, as well as guarantee that you are being receptive to the flood of insight that is available to you.
Be a student, not a teacher
Falk and Kanach pointed out that because the U.S. is such a major power in the world, both politically and economically speaking, citizens of certain countries may have some preconceived notions of who Americans are and which kinds of motives they may have when visiting other nations.
It is important that these learning travelers show natives in the countries they are exploring that they are there with the intention of comprehending new cultures, ways of life and standpoints. By thinking beyond the American mindset, you can break down any boundaries, which could ultimately allow for a more enlightening experience that will enrich your global education. This may permanently alter the way you approach international matters, which could present a number of educational and professional advantages.