Education Week – Christine A. Farrugia
“The profile of U.S. study abroad is changing. Today a more diverse range of students are studying in more destinations and through innovative programs that fall outside of the traditional model. Being aware of these trends can help us understand what motivates students to go abroad so we can encourage and support them. By beginning the exploration of other countries in elementary school, we build on students’ natural curiosity about the world around them…Over the past fifteen years, study abroad by STEM majors has grown substantially, outpacing growth in other fields. Contributing to this growth is an increasing awareness by students and faculty advisers of the career-related benefits of global experiences…you can help students by increasing their understanding of the value of an international experience in various career fields as is happening in STEM. And where possible, integrate the study of geographic areas of most interest to your students into your classes. By tapping into students’ natural curiosity about the world at a young age, we can build a solid base from which to encourage them to go out and see it through study abroad.”(more)