Studying abroad gives students opportunities, insight to other cultures
By David Hurtado
Located in the heart of Johnson County, the college offers students a world perspective through a number of programs, allowing them to both travel abroad and meet students from other countries right here on campus.
The college’s study abroad program offers over 25 different countries as destinations for students interested in studying outside of the United States. Travel destinations include Ecuador, Austria, Ghana, Thailand and Ireland. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for all Study Abroad programs, while a few programs require a 3.0.
Janet Jasperson, coordinator, International Education, said studying abroad not only gives students the benefits of experiencing another culture, but enriches their lives. Jasperson said the program has had students who have left the U.S. withdrawn and retuned self-confident. She said it also presents a personal challenge; can an individual go someplace very different and adjust and make it?
“In your generation even more than mine, you’re going to live in such a global society,” she said. “Chances are no matter what their job is, they’re going to oversee supplies or oversee customers. Having some sense that the whole world doesn’t think that the way we do and doesn’t relate exactly the way we do could be very helpful in your job. It makes you a bigger person.”
Jasperson said students interested in studying abroad should aim for the spring 2015 semester, as the deadline for the spring and fall semesters this year has passed. The application deadline for spring study abroad programs is Oct. 15 and March 15 for summer and fall programs. A $500 dollar deposit is required before the deadline. There is no prior language requirement, although it is advised.
Scott Cline, student, said he plans to study abroad next semester in Costa Rica. Cline said he decided on Costa Rica primarily because of recommendations he received from advisors and an interest in Peru and Argentina. He said the best way to learn a language is to live in the country and experience the culture firsthand.
“I want to study abroad, because I think it is the best way to learn a language,” Cline said. “I am learning Spanish, and am going to study at the language school in Santa Ana Costa Rica. I ultimately want to teach English as a second language, but am also going to get a Bachelor of Arts to teach Spanish in K-12, which is part of the reason I am studying abroad.”
According to an article by U.S. News, studying abroad is required at a couple of schools across the nation. Jasperson said in her opinion, more than likely this won’t become mandatory for all students later down the road. She said it could become a requirement for individual majors, like Literature majors, but shouldn’t affect others because in many cases the expense is high.
Whether students are thinking about studying abroad or actively planning to, Jasperson said preparation is key. She said reading everything you can about the country, talking to people who have been there and having a basic understanding of the language can make the transition to another culture much easier.
“If you’re going to London maybe it’s very western, but if you’re going to a non-western place attitudes may be very different,” she said. “How women dress; they may have to dress differently. Behavior that would be considered appropriate in the United States might not be appropriate in that other country. In order to not put yourself in perhaps a bad situation, you need to prepare in advance.”
Neil Schoenfelder, student, said he considered studying abroad in Europe when he first started college, but decided against it when changing majors from architecture to business. However, Schoenfelder still believes studying abroad gives students ample opportunities for learning about other the world around them.
“It’s a really good opportunity to discover new things and learn how other cultures work outside the U.S.,” Schoenfelder said. “Everything in the U.S. is much different than everything outside.”
Contact David Hurtado, features editor, at dhurtado@jccc.edu.