To the Editor:
Studying abroad provides one of the great opportunities students have during their undergraduate years. Students, however, often know little about these opportunities and as a result do not get to experience the educational and cultural benefits that accompany it.
On November 19 from 1 to 3 pm at the Heffner Alumni House, the Office of the Vice Provost and Undergraduate Education is sponsoring Rensselaer’s first annual “Study Abroad Fair.” All departments and schools that sponsor study abroad programs will be there. Specifically, the following programs will be in attendance: the Architecture International Programs, the French Exchange Program, the Global Engineering Education Exchange Program, the International Management Exchange Program, the Swiss Exchange Program, and the Undergraduate Education International Exchange Programs.
Last year, 154,168 U.S. students studied abroad according to a recent report by the Immigration and Naturalization Service U.S. Department of State. They went on to say that over the past five years the number of U.S. students who studied abroad for credit has increased by 55 percent.
One might ask: what are the benefits of studying abroad and why are students choosing to do so? Some of the most predominant answers to those questions are as follows: Students get to experience both another educational system and another culture, the experience often presents contacts for the future, it is impressive for resume purposes, most people experience tremendous growth, and the fact is it’s just a lot of fun!
Participating in one of Rensselaer’s Study Abroad Programs is also a pretty easy thing to do because there is a staff member provided to oversee your study abroad plans and guide you from application to return to Rensselaer. Also there are coordinators available at the affiliated schools to assist you. That assistance includes helping you with housing information and options. Financial Aid remains in effect as long as the Rensselaer student is enrolled in a Rensselaer affiliated program.
In terms of long term effects, a recent survey done by The Institute for International Education of Students indicated that nearly half of the more than 3,000 people who responded said that they had worked or volunteered abroad since graduating from college and 59 percent reported having returned to visit or work in the country where they had studied. The survey also indicated that nine of 10 respondents said their study abroad experience had led them to seek a greater diversity of friends. Also 96 percent experienced increases in self-confidence after studying abroad. Other long term effects have been: a better understanding and respect for other cultures, a broadening of professional effectiveness in a global job market, and an enhancement of one’s competitive edge in the job market.
In addition to each program being represented there will also be students in attendance from Rensselaer who have experienced a study abroad semester or year in another country as well as exchange students from some of the affiliated schools that are currently attending Rensselaer.
This is a great opportunity for Rensselaer students to possibly give some serious consideration to something that they may never have considered before, and to have all these programs in one place will make it very easy for them to get all the information needed.
If there are any questions please call or e-mail Bob Conway in the Undergraduate Education Office at 276-6822 or conwar@rpi.edu or Beth Macey in the Lally School of Management at 276-2388 or maceyb2@rpi.edu.
Bob Conway
Undergraduate Education Office
