Studying abroad is one of the many things that can alter a student’s life more than anything.
Elizabeth Langston, a study abroad advisor at the University of Memphis, said studying abroad has a positive impact on students’ careers in many ways. She said many students do not realize most of the scholarships and financial aid they receive during the semester can also be used for a study abroad program.
“Students often believe that it is not affordable,” Langston said. “In reality, the Study Abroad Office works closely with students to find funding through scholarships, grants and financial aid.”
The Study Abroad Office has offered more than 200 semester, academic year and short-term programs in more than 60 countries to accommodate any student who wanted to study abroad. A multitude of university-sponsored scholarships and non-university scholarships are available for students to apply for and put toward their study abroad trip.
“Our office encourages every student to experience this transformational opportunity sometime before graduation because once you graduate, travel opportunities will be harder to make time for and more challenging to fund,” Langston said.
Langston said many students can’t abandon their responsibilities during the school semester, so there are many programs that are availble during breaks throughout the school year.
Cyerra Smith, a student at the U of M, studied abroad for three weeks during the beginning of the summer 2018 term at the University of Kent in the United Kingdom, where she took two classes.
“Being abroad gets you out of your comfort zone,” Smith said. “And being away from family and work is a very adventurous feeling. When at home, I tended to procrastinate more than I did when I was abroad. Because I was away from all the distractions, I could focus fully on my school work.”
Smith traveled to Midway, Kent, Canterbury and London during her study abroad experience and said she had a safe and easy trip.
“I enjoyed the experience of seeing another side of our world,” Smith said. “Sometimes you get so caught up with life at home, and you forget that there’s more to life than just where you are right now. Going abroad really gave me a different outlook on life.”
Rachel Crawford, another U of M student, studied at the International College of Seville in Spain for five weeks during the summer 2018 term. She took two Spanish classes that contributed to her minor.
“It was easily the best way to spend a month,” Crawford said. “Spain was so rich in culture and memories. I will definitely be studying abroad again because of how welcoming it was.”
Crawford said many people might want to see the world as she did, but cannot bring themselves to do it. She said there are financial opportunities for all students to take a trip if they wanted, but most students fear the idea of studying abroad.
“Study abroad while you are still in college because it is one of your best opportunities to travel and see the world,” Crawford said. “I always tell people that you only have one opportunity to travel this easily. It is not easy, but this is the best chance to have such a rich experience.”
