Study Abroad or Party Abroad?
Students Cite "full cultural experience" as a main goal
CHESTER, PA, January 6, 2003 -
The image of college students frolicking in European discotheques and sunbathing on the Riviera while ostensibly "studying abroad" is an inaccurate one, according to a December 2002 survey by StudyAbroad.com (www.StudyAbroad.com). The survey asked a series of questions to StudyAbroad.com visitors in regards to their motivations for studying abroad.
Most college students today don't go abroad just so they can "party" and take a fun break from regular college courses. Indeed, only four percent of those surveyed cited "the legal drinking age" as criteria for choosing a destination, while just two percent mentioned "an enjoyable trip-from water skiing to rock climbing" as a goal. Further, only one percent cited the opportunity to be away from their college campuses as a reason for wanting to study abroad.
While undergrads aren't viewing studying abroad as a vacation from their regular schoolwork, today's college students are also not viewing it merely as a way to improve their GPAs. Few decide to spend a summer or semester abroad simply to earn better grades or to live what they've learned in college textbooks. Rather, the opportunity to become immersed in a new culture is the number one reason college students today seek out a study abroad experience.
Eighty-two percent of students interested in studying abroad say that "sightseeing, meeting new people, tasting foreign cuisines and learning or polishing a foreign language" are the first things that come to mind when making their plans. Only 16 percent cited "living what I learn in college textbooks."
Likewise, 69 percent of students expect to get "a full cultural experience-from the historic buildings all the way to the language's slang" from their overseas study experience, while just 27% cite "a great learning experience… comparing what I learned from the books to what I experience in the country."
Over 1,800 prospective students, 84 percent of them currently enrolled in an undergraduate institution or graduate school, participated in the survey, which was conducted online from October 1st to December 16th. During that time frame the StudyAbroad.com Web site experienced 1,182,567 visitors.
Most students (81 percent) prefer to explore new cultures on their own, rather than with their friends or classmates, and a large majority (58 percent), are doing their own research on study abroad programs, both online and in their school or college library. Over 71 percent already have their passports in order.
"Students aren't attracted to study abroad programs because they want to drink or hit the beach. Rather, they view these programs as a chance to become fully immersed in another culture and truly expand the scope of their education," said Mark Shay, CEO of Educational Directories Unlimited, Inc., the producer of StudyAbroad.com. "Further, it's clear that students are also not going abroad to improve or enhance a transcript or college record. Instead of simply doing a textbook-like tour of a country, stopping only at places they've read about, they want to become truly a part of the place they're visiting-living, eating and speaking like the locals and gaining a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This is what is driving the demand for study abroad programs today."
He adds, "At a time in our world history when understanding between cultures is more critical than ever before, it's heartening to see that college students are still attracted to the experience of embracing another culture and learning about its inhabitants' everyday lives and beliefs."
To research study abroad programs throughout the world, visit www.StudyAbroad.com, the number one online resource for information about studying abroad.
About StudyAbroad.com
StudyAbroad.com is the Internet's leading source of international education information. It contains directories of study abroad and intensive language programs that are organized by both subject and destination. StudyAbroad.com also includes the Destination Portal Pages, the popular "StudyAbroad.com Handbook: A Guide to Traveling Abroad," discussion boards, financial aid information and much, much more. Studyabroad.com is a service of Educational Directories Unlimited, Inc. (www.edudirectories.com).
For more information on Educational Directories Unlimited, please contact Matt Ulmer by phone at 610-499-9200, via e-mail at mulmer@edudirectories.com.