I posted the following to IHEC Blog’s Facebook page a short time ago and thought I would post here to see what readers think.
I recently read an article that suggested that U.S. students who study abroad in the Middle East or in Asia or in Africa or in Latin America are more serious students than those who study in Europe or Australia U.S. students who go to Europe and Australia
I think there's an idea that going to Europe or Australia is going to be "easier" because of similarities between US/European/Australian cultures, whereas other parts of the world seem "harder" because of language barriers, cultural differences, perceived economic differences, etc. Also, for white students going to Africa and Asia can pose the first challenge to their lifelong "majority" status. The students who go to less-traveled destinations are usually looking for that challenge.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I think that immersion is as important if not more important than location. If you go to China for two weeks and don't interact with Chinese at all, then you're probably not going to get as much out of the experience as someone who spent a year in England and joined clubs, made friends there and learned about the culture.
I also studied abroad in Europe. I had the opportunity to study in Paris, Grenoble or Senegal as a French major but going to Africa was never something I really considered. I'm always proud when I have students in the office who want to go to Africa, because I feel like they have a level of confidence that I didn't have at their age.
What kind of studying is possible if the person does not read the language fluently? Most students who study in non-western countries are either to:
ReplyDelete1) study the language (linguists, anthropologists, etc)
2) have fun
3) find their "roots"
4) find the meaning of life
5) heard that Asian women are hot for non-Asian guys (see #2)
HOWEVER, if the student has sufficient language capability, and a base of culture understanding, then it is possible to delve deeper into a non-linguistic topical study.
Pertaining to your own personal perception about Africa, it is easier for students to go to Africa now because it solves two problems at once.
1) linguistics
2) potential employment opportunities
(Chinese are beginning to be mistrusted in Africa, so opportunities are opening up for others with linguistic and cultural understanding)
I was a student in Turkey many years ago and now live in Europe. I have met many American students along the way. There is no question that American students in London try to locate pubs and other places to have fun but that does not mean they are not serious students. Most students headed for the Middle East are attracted to the culture already and aware that they have very little time to gain fluency. As a result they work hard at the language but they also manage to have fun.
ReplyDeleteThe key to the issue is often how the programs are marketed to students. If the year abroad is presented as tourism rather than a study opportunity, the profile of the student will reflect that.
I agree that students either in Europe or the Middle East will focus on their goals and reason for studying abroad. As posted by EngageAbroad, "If the year abroad is presented as tourism rather than a study opportunity, the profile of the student will reflect that."
ReplyDeleteI believe that majority of students are focused on learning and not just fun.
I totally agree with the article that suggested that U.S. students who study abroad in the Middle East or in Asia or in Africa or in Latin America are more serious students than those who study in Europe or Australia. Because these students are brave because they are venturing into countries with different cultural and religious backgrounds. As for the language barriers that were mentioned, you would be amazed to find how fast you can acquire a new language and how you can communicate by sign language until you acquire the basics of communicating in a new language. I think that it all depends on a person’s attitude and his/her willingness to meet and learn from people who are from different cultures.
ReplyDelete