To Study Abroad or Not Study Abroad? That is the Question

To study abroad or to not study abroad? That is the question that many University of Maryland students are asking themselves.

The University of Maryland Education Abroad Office has seen a dramatic increase in study abroad participation. Last year, more than 2,000 students out of approximately 26,000 undergraduates studied abroad, according to the Office of International Affairs.

But why are so many students deciding to study abroad now? Graham Hettlinger, the director of Education Abroad, believes it has something to do with the increasingly integrated world.

“In today’s global economy, virtually every employer now looks for people who have experienced the world beyond our borders — people who understand the complexities of cultural difference, and who can work successfully in a multicultural group,” Hettlinger explains.

Studying abroad allows students to prepare themselves for the international work environment that they will be faced with after graduating. In addition to getting students ready for employment, Hettlinger believes that studying abroad provides undergraduates with new perspectives on the world.

“Students develop a deep and important understanding of the world’s complexity that few can gain without leaving home,” Hettlinger says.

However, Morgan Singer, a sophomore government and politics major, has a specific reason for studying abroad in France this fall.

“I decided to study abroad in general because I love French and I want to be able to have the opportunity to immerse myself in the culture and most importantly the language,” she says.

Despite the benefits of going abroad, many students are hesitant about leaving the United States for the fear of getting homesick. But Natalie Tomlin, a sophomore journalism major, doesn’t think homesickness should stop students from studying abroad.

“There are a lot of things that are hard to leave behind at home and here in College Park, but I think it’s worth it to step outside your comfort zone and experience something completely new and exciting,” she says.

Hettlinger agrees that students should not let homesickness stop them from gaining a new and worthwhile experience.

“We have very, very few students come home early because of homesickness. In fact, many students suffer the opposite problem – they often grow so attached to their host families and friends overseas, they have a difficult time leaving to return to the U.S,” he says.

As this semester winds down, more students are forced to think about the future of their college careers and whether or not studying abroad fits in their four-year plan. While students contemplate their future here at University of Maryland, Hettlinger wants undergraduates to realize that the opportunity to study abroad does not last forever.