Pounce Online

Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Arts and Entertainment

Shannon Rybski studied abroad to New Zealand where she traveled to MT. COOK.

Listen to experiences with a student who studied abroad to England.

Independent, diverse and outgoing, all qualities companies search for in future employees. Students can strengthen these qualities by studying abroad.

Extracurricular activities and high GPAs show employers dedication and intelligence, but study abroad shows that the student can compete internationally. According to the study abroad newsletter, "Surveys suggest that students who have studied abroad get more job interviews, better job offers and start at above average salaries in their fields."

As the job market becomes more global, students need to learn how to work with customers nationally and internationally. Study Abroad gave students an opportunity to complete coursework while gaining experience in a global economy.

"Study Abroad allows you to live, work and play in a country of your choosing," Michelle Lashley, the graduate assistant in the Study Abroad office, said.

Only about two percent of Eastern students study abroad, according to the Study Abroad Department.

Students can learn more about Study Abroad by visiting its office in Blair Hall 1207 or www.eiu.edu/~edabroad/. The department holds weekly info sessions for anyone who wishes to participate. According to Lashley, the Web site is "one stop shopping for all your study abroad needs." Search for classes by department, country or faculty member.

Students can choose from over 45 countries in which to visit through study abroad. Even if the Study Abroad office does not offer a program in the country you wish to participate, they will attempt to either find a site or create a new site in that country.

Laila Olsson, a junior elementary education major, studied in Sweden during spring 2007. She chose Sweden because that is where she was born. Olsson experienced the culture by living with a host family. She studied a teacher education course with people from nine nations, said Olsson.

Olsson and Phil Sasser, a senior communication studies major, believe sites in Western Europe are the most popular. This area is tourist friendly, and students can see many sites in a small area. Many students can also trace their roots back to Western Europe.

If students are searching for countries with limited language barriers, people in England, Australia, Ireland and South Africa all speak English.

Sasser chose to experience South Africa from July to December 2005. He felt that this would be the only time he would ever get to experience South Africa. Sasser saw a mixture of Western and third world culture. In Cape Town, he noticed that South Africa has no middle class.

If you want to see photos from Olsson and Sasser's trips, just check out the slideshow.

Students learn more than coursework, they experience the culture of the country they choose, she said, speaking to an Eastern class.

Matt Binder, a senior history major, studied in Harlaxton, England during the summer of 2007. He wanted to travel abroad, but had trouble learning foreign languages. Binder felt that people from England and the United States speak a similar language, but they enjoy a different culture.

In England, he completed coursework and traveled to other European countries. Every day or two, Binder rode the bus. He realized that young English people enjoy hip-hop music as much as Americans do. These people tried to school Binder and his friends on hip-hop. For more information, listen to the podcast about Binder and hip-hop in England.

Instead of staying in one country when students study abroad, the students have three weekends to travel to other sites abroad. Paris, France and Dublin, Ireland were two cities Binder and his friends visited. They chose to skip the tourist sites and go to places in which locals socialize. Binder and his friends viewed the Eiffel Tower from the ground and experienced the atmosphere of an Irish pub with the local people.

In Dublin, Binder experienced the street performers' world championships first hand. The performers "took the city by storm," said Binder. Anyone can vote for the best performance. Binder described three acts that were impressive to him. To learn more about the acts, listen to his podcast.

First time study abroad students can get advice from past participants about when they should go and what they need to do before they leave.

"Sophomore year is ideal because you still have a lot of general education classes, and these are easier to transfer," Sasser said.

Planning ahead can help students save money and ensure that their classes will transfer. Olsson suggests being specific on the class in which you want to take. In addition, getting a passport could take about a month.

Researching the country before students leave can help decrease culture shock.

Finally, make sure your bank knows when you are going and for how long you will be gone. Binder's bank declined his debit card because they assumed identity theft or fraud.

Interested in Study Abroad, do not wait. Start planning now, Lashley urged.

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