Why Study Abroad

Timing | Broaden Horizons | Gain Perspective | Discover New Cultures | Learning First-Hand

Because the time is right

"Austria was amazing -- maybe even moreso because there were a lot of other Ole Miss students there -- and not just Ole Miss -- Georgia, Alabama, Tulane, Virginia -- I made a lot of new friends that I still stay in touch with. We did everything together from touring to trying out the most popular restaurants to studying for our finals. In the process, we met interesting people and had fantastic experiences in Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. Studying abroad while I was at Ole Miss was definitely one of the smartest -- and best -- things I did."
David Smitherman, Austria, Summer 2005

This is the absolute best time in your life to study abroad. You'll never get a better opportunity than right now. If you've ever thought about studying overseas, do it while you're in college. If you miss this window of opportunity, it's almost impossible to do later in life.

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To broaden your horizons

"This trip was full of firsts for me and an eye-opening experience like no other ... you cannot go and not be moved in some way, either by their passion, their cultures, or just the interaction with so many. You leave behind so many friends."
Luther Johnson, South Africa, Winter 2006

Life in the United States of America is pretty much the same day in, day out. Life overseas makes you see your everyday world in a whole new light. You don't even realize it, but our culture shapes the way we view the world and affects us every minute of the day. Differences in culture are more than just differences in language, food, clothing, and art. Cultural differences reflect deeply ingrained perceptions about the world and about one's way of life, and these perceptions are radically different from one culture to the next. Americans don't tend to venture outside the confines of their day-to-day lives. Students who study abroad return home with a more open minded perspective toward other cultures. You'll be more sensitive to what is happening in the news from places around the world. You'll be able to relate better to other students on campus who are from different countries.

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To gain a better perspective of yourself and others

"Throughout my travels in South Africa -- in studying the country's complex history and in visitng with South Africans along the way -- I've been reminded that the trials of individual nation-states -- be it South African Apartheid, Jim Crow in the American South, or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- are all interconnected. And it's vital that we try and gain a fuller understanding of these struggles, as the human spirit has been known to repeat itself."
Kate Medley, South Africa, Winter 2006

Find out who you really are. What are your limits? How do you overcome obstacles you've never before encountered? How far can you push yourself? How independent are you? These questions are hard to answer until you are removed from your usual surroundings. By leaving your "comfort zone," you'll get to know strengths you never before knew you had. After solving difficult problems on your own overseas, you'll find that almost nothing fazes you at home. Students who study abroad commonly report that their study abroad experience actually changed their lives.

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To discover another culture and way of life

"In Xhosa culture, life is lived in stages. The bush is seen as a journey to the next stage of life -- manhood. All Xhosa boys are expected to make this journey ... though the Xhosa have fully integrated themselves into modern society on the Eastern Cape, the manhood ritual is one they vow to never part with."
Fred McGhee III, South Africa, Winter 2006

This is a valuable commodity in today's global society. Potential employers will be impressed that you have a unique perspective on not only another society, but your own as well. Having had an overseas study experience shows that you're motivated, inquisitive, and willing to try new things - all very appealing qualities in an employee. People who study abroad tend to be willing to take risks, willing to put themselves in unusual situations, able to solve problems under unique circumstances, and able to overcome the fear of the unknown. You'll also be setting yourself apart from other American students.

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To learn things first-hand, for yourself

"The strengths of this program were that we got to learn by doing and seeing things."
Kaley Anderson, Costa Rica, Summer 2005

It's one thing to read about the culture of another country, but another entirely to experience it yourself. Things you had previously only read about in a book or learned about in a classroom will become your own personal experiences.

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To see the world and meet its people

Study abroad is not for everyone, but it is something that everyone should consider. Talk to your academic or study abroad advisor today.