Why Study Abroad?

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness—all foes to real understanding. Likewise, tolerance or broad, wholesome charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in our little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” -Mark Twain

There are many good reasons to include studying or interning abroad in your plans. Here are some that we think are most important:

Globalize your education.

Some people think only students majoring in foreign languages study abroad and, sure, that was the model in, like, the 1800s. These days, the world is getting “smaller” and better connected, and jobs in every field are more international. People planning careers in just about any area can significantly benefit from overseas study. Just think about your interview at Global Company X, when you are asked about the range of your experience and training and whether you can interact with people from diverse backgrounds, and you get to say, “Well, I studied in India for a semester in college.” Dude, you are so employed.

It’s way cheaper than you think.

Consider these simple facts: You get to use your regular financial aid (most scholarships, plus all grants, loans, and veteran’s bennies you usually get) for the costs of any UO-sponsored study abroad program. There are also special scholarships and loans just for people who study abroad. Plus, some programs (at foreign universities that have direct exchange with the UO) actually charge no tuition. For many of the UO overseas programs, people end up spending around the same amount that they would for on-campus study and accommodation. With these super options and the lifelong benefits of overseas study, you can’t afford not to do it.

Just fit it.

There are so many options these days, just about anyone can fit overseas study in their academic plans. With over 140 programs in more than 80 countries, the UO offers something for students in any major, and you can choose from any region in the world. With a little advance preparation, your term, semester, or year of overseas study can be tucked neatly into your overall plan, getting you to your degree just as quickly—and with the added benefit of an international experience.

Sprechen Sie Deutsch? It may not matter.

Many courses in UO overseas programs are taught in English. In addition, some programs include an intensive period of language training upon arrival in the host country. Some programs do require language training, however, so consult the individual program description or an overseas studies adviser.

“When you wish upon a star, it makes no difference who you are.”

Students of all identities and backgrounds study overseas, and specialized information is available to address the specific concerns of people of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ students who want to study abroad. Ask the overseas studies advisers in OIP for more information about making your dreams of overseas study come true.

Shiny, happy resumes.

If you think studying abroad is a boost to your resume, try working in a foreign country! Every employer wants to hire people who know how to interact with foreign colleagues or business partners, and what better way to prove that you have this skill, than to do it? Through Oregon’s unique IE3 program (which stands for: International Education, Experience, and Employment), you can choose from about 140 established internship positions, in dozens of employment fields, in about 50 countries. Plus, you get internship credits for your IE3 experience, and you can use financial aid toward your overseas travel and living expenses. Getting that unique experience for your resume just got a lot easier!

Get a clue.

As Americans, we tend to be a little, well, sheltered. Studying or interning abroad while you’re in college is one of the best ways you can broaden your perspective of the world. In fact, many overseas returnees talk about how much more they understand American culture and their own sense of self-identity after being removed from those familiar contexts for an overseas study experience. You can gain more self-confidence and a wider sense of the many possibilities of human life. It’s a kind of learning you just can’t get in a classroom.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Are you an idealist who dreams of a more socially just society? Of course, you must know that any lasting social change must happen both locally and globally. And what better way to understand how folks in other countries are working to better their own societies than to go and witness for yourself their efforts for promoting peace, ending hunger and poverty, and improving their social and cultural infrastructure? Several of the UO’s cooperative programs with the School for International Training (SIT) offer field-placement opportunities. You can get hands-on experience in Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, or South or Central Asia. Or choose from several non-SIT programs that also focus on global issues. Once you can truly think globally, acting locally will come naturally.

It pays to do the time.

Not only will you be, like, an ideal future employee after you study abroad; you’ll also be far more likely to have gazillions more rewarding international experiences. The stats don’t lie: the UO, which has one of the highest levels of student participation in overseas study and internship programs, also has high numbers of Fulbright Scholars, graduates in the Peace Corps, and alumni who end up working in overseas jobs or starting their own international projects. The fact is, laying an international foundation now opens up additional opportunities for jet-setting in your future.

Airfare: 866 Euros. Apartment in Siena: 296 Euros per month. Overseas experience: Priceless.

You know what we hear over and over again from folks who’ve just returned from studying abroad? “Wow, that was really a life-altering experience.” It’s true: you’ll never have had such an incredible sense of going beyond your own boundaries—and we’re not just talking about the U.S. border. There simply is no substitute for studying abroad. You gotta go!