The Sixth Factor: Getting Away

At Becker Academic, LLC, we are committed to intercultural understanding and exchange. We encourage every student to participate in an accredited study abroad program. Living and learning in a host culture is no longer the luxury of a few privileged undergraduates. International education has become the single most powerful measure of the adaptive competencies that will, increasingly, contribute to success in every career.

International Education: Going the Distance

Although pundits across the American political spectrum are touting the merits of study abroad, it is helpful to have criteria for comparing international opportunities. Any college can piggyback a handful of students onto overseas programs sponsored by another institution. There is much more to responsible international education than putting a few kids on a plane.

When considering different colleges, remember two points for studying abroad:

• Faculty should practice what they teach. Beware a preponderance of parochial research.
• Getting there is only half of the trip. Re-entry seminars are a hallmark of excellence.

You’ve probably found a match in international education, if...

Spoiler Alert
London and Melbourne may be fascinating cities, but if most students are studying in English-dominant countries, then you need to question the institution's commitment to international exchange. Monolingualism is not a valuable skill in the global economy.

...you see evidence of strong linguistic and cultural preparation for studying abroad.

...you want to hear about the experiences of the returning students whom you meet during campus visits or get to know online.

...you identify opportunities for studying abroad through this college that dovetail with your expected major field of study.

...you envision international and multicultural influences enriching your daily life on campus.

Looking Closer at Distant Vistas: Ten Questions to Consider

To evaluate study abroad opportunities at your prospective schools, look to other indicators of academic excellence. Here are ten questions to aid your exploration of an institution’s international strengths. A course catalog can provide some, but not all of the answers.

1. Are study abroad programs available to interested students at this college, and what prerequisites and requirements must be met prior to international study?

Geek Gab
Obviously, prerequisites for study abroad will vary by the program. No one heading to Tokyo needs to demonstrate fluency in Turkish. Your task is to determine that the requirements match the program. Avoid programs outside the English-dominant nations where foreign language requirements are thin. (There are plenty of them out there.)

2. What proportion of this year’s graduating class studied abroad? Has the proportion increased in recent years?

3. Where are these programs based, and how many students participate at one time?

4. Are these programs sponsored by this institution and/or based elsewhere? If elsewhere, what support for cross-cultural entry and domestic re-entry does this college provide?

5. What are the living arrangements of the various programs? Are students placed with host families or housed together into a dormitory? (Avoid the latter, or stay home.)

6. For countries where the first language is not English, does the program provide opportunities to continue formal language training, and at what, if any, additional cost?

7. Do faculty accompany students abroad? What qualifications do faculty meet in order to lead a program? What academic and support roles do they play in the host culture?

8. How are overseas credits applied to requirements in the major and for graduation?

9. Does financial aid extend outside the United States, and are there any special monies allocated for international study?

10. What proportion of this year’s incoming class are international students, and how many nations do they represent? Are international students integrated into the life of the community? (See for yourself by checking out the cafeteria and the library.)