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Why Studying Abroad Is the Best Classroom
A British politician recently said, “In this age of growing interconnectedness, we
understand that turning our backs on the world is simply not an option.” Because of the rise of
the Internet, the ease of global travel, and the increase in international trade, the world is more
interconnected than ever before. In the past, people could enjoy a successful career without ever
moving from their home region, but now many jobs involve global interactions. Given these new
conditions, it is essential that college and university students experience new cultures as part of
their education, and although some people may not believe that studying abroad can be more
than just a long vacation, colleges and universities should require students to study abroad for at
least one semester of their undergraduate education to prepare them for today’s interconnected
world.
One of the primary reasons that studying abroad contributes so effectively to students’
education is that it requires them to live and learn in a culture that is different from their own.
Correspondingly, in their analysis of the educational benefits of study abroad programs, Brewer
and Cunningham conclude that real learning is often triggered by a serious dilemma that causes
the individuals involved to question assumptions they may have held for their entire lives (9).
What this means is that students are given the chance to reflect on themselves and grow from
that process. As Brewer and Cunningham demonstrate, students’ daily assumptions are
challenged by the experience of living abroad, from simple concerns, such as appropriate
breakfast foods, to more complex matters, such as how societies should be organized and other
cultural conventions. By experiencing a new culture firsthand, students will better appreciate the
