International Students and Studying Abroad
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Transcript of International Students and Studying Abroad
International Students and Studying Abroad
Arsalan Karvani
ENGL 1102
Mrs. Ashlyn C. Walden
October 11, 2013
Background:
Since I was fourteen or fifteen, I have known what I wanted to do with my life.
Engineering has always been a passion of mine. I was always thinking about traveling to another
country that can offer a good education in my educational field. When I finished high school, I
came to United State to continue my education. Since I came here. I have noticed tons of things
changed in me beside my education. People who study abroad or go to another countries as
international students have lots of chances to learn more about different things, such as: cultural
believes, social behaviors, and independent life style. Studying abroad introduce you to variety
of cultures, behaviors, ideas and attitudes.
I think studying abroad makes you learn about yourself more. Students who study abroad
go back home with new perspectives and ideas about themselves and their own cultures.
Students have a good chance to become familiar with new and different academic system, so
they can use and transmit ideas that they have observed and experienced to their families, friends
or even their society. I as an international student learn a lot about gaps between different
cultures and people’s behavior in good ways and negative ways. My selected audience in this
research will be people who want to study a broad or interested in studying abroad; it can be
people who are interested in traveling to become familiar with different cultures and cultural
behaviors too.
Literature Review:
Studying abroad is one of the most helpful plans in educational life. It is not easy to live
in a foreign country with its all struggles, but it will provide you better opportunities in your life.
It will give you lots of chances to experience while you are doing abroad. Studying abroad will
be hard for those who are not ready to change and adapt themselves. Studying abroad will teach
you how to be independent and how to solve your own problems. It will introduce you to new
cultures and behaviors.
Studying abroad and moving to another countries obviously is not easy, and it can have
some advantages and disadvantages. Culture shock is the first and important thing people who
are doing study abroad encounter with. According to Acadia University’s research “Culture
shock is the mental, physical and emotional adjustment to living in a new environment.” (Lee).
They usually become frustrated and annoyed until they notice and recognize the patterns emerge
and understanding of why things are so differently develops. It has some fun stages too; they
usually get excited that they have finally arrived. It is kind of exciting when in reality they see all
of those places that were a picture one day. In some points, all those fascinating and good
customs become aggravating. They usually deal with cultural shock; they think there us no point
to students who study abroad. They think their own culture is much better and flexible than the
culture they are observing and dealing with. Some of them get over this very quickly, and they
find it pretty interesting. They try to adapt themselves to a new situation, so they can progress
better. Being familiar with a new culture is of the important facts and goals of studying abroad.
They will miss their own culture in some points, but they will learn about a new culture. It will
help students to have a better perspective of their own culture and develop their culture in a
better ways. (Lee).
Mr. Lee is focusing on importance of cultural shock at this point. Cultural shock is one of the
most important elements that people struggle with in foreign countries. Students who study
abroad must prepare themselves before they leave their home, they need to study about new
culture that they are going to deal with.
There is no better and successful way to learn a language than to be engaged with a
culture that people speak the language you are learning. The language that they try to speak and
learn surrounds students who study abroad; they hear it every day in a proper cultural context. It
helps them to learn the language they are interested much faster. "Overall, I learned a lot more
about myself in that one semester than I did in the three and a half years in my home school
because of the unique space in which I learned, experienced, and spent exploring another
culture," says Carolyn Valtos (IES Adelaide).
IES is studying about different ways to learn a new language. One of the good ideas to learn a
new language is going to study abroad. Students who study abroad have better chances to learn
the new language.
There are many advantages for studying aboard. Other than helping and allowing
students to explore many places around the world; it has many other advantages. Some of the
advantages are earning credit for all the University of North Carolina at Charlotte courses, in
depth learning of the world’s marketplace, making a rich resume, learn more about other
cultures, having the opportunity to see other places, learn to be more sociable, learn a new
language, discover other ways of living, and become more independent. (UNC Charlotte Office
of Education of Abroad). "My experience abroad reemphasized where my interests lay, both
personally and academically, and at the same time provided a holistic and invaluable aspect to
my education involving insight into the human condition. Although people of different cultures
and traditions may vary, certain human aspects have basic universal components worldwide. The
interactions I had with several Kenyans emphasized those components and allowed me to expand
my perception of people and my respect for differences." (SIT Kenya Alum).
UNC Charlotte Office of Education of Abroad is trying to aware its students about benefits of
studying abroad. They strongly suggest students get enough information before go to another
countries. Advising for studying abroad is one of the useful ways to refuse major issues.
Travel offers the best real life lessons, such as standing on your feet, planning, and the
important one is adapting to new ways of socializing. The limited time to study abroad really
gives itself to the “go big then go home” attitude. While studying abroad, there will be times
when you know no one. You feel so lonely and isolated. It might be the perfect thing to a final
year in your college or a turning point in your life, but the most beneficial point of it is finding a
new home and standing on your own feet without anybody’s help; you will feel and experience
independency. It is an experience that let you see yourself in a new life, and it also can prove
your confidence. (Deakers 2011).
Mr. Deakers talks about some advantages and disadvantages of study abroad. Students have
chance to be on their own and independent while they study abroad. Being independent helps
students who live in another country solve their problems much better.
One of the problems and disadvantages of study abroad is that students need to get use to
the weather, food, and living style of foreign counties. If the students were so dependent to their
family and the environment of their hometown, it will be so hard and difficult for them to get use
to all these stuff because everything will change for them in that new place. Most important of
all, Students will miss their friends; they will not have their friends in that new country, so it can
make them lonely or even depress. One of the disadvantages is that students will lose their
parent’s support and control; they are the only people that decide for their life, so it can be some
times really dangerous because they do not have enough experience of life. They still need their
parents to lead them to a right path, but studying in another country can take this chance from
them to not communicate with their parents. It can have some benefits to when they do not live
with their family. They will learn how to get along with different people; they also have a better
chance to be more socializing too. (Shum).
Mr. Shum is focusing on some emotional and parental issues that study abroad may cause.
Families can be so much supportive, but in some points support of the family can be limited.
Students must understand that they will be lonely at the first during study abroad, but they never
lose their family’s support.
Results show that the students who want to gain the most impact profession from study
abroad must fit at least an internship in their schedule. Seventy present of students who studied
abroad and did an internship next to their education reported that the combination of studying
abroad and internship exploded interest in their career. In addition, almost eighty present of
students said that they got different and useful skills that affected their career path from
internship while they were doing study abroad. Although, there is no big difference between
students who take classes in big universities and who do not, it is important to state that students
who study in local universities have more chance to experience long term language advantages
and be volunteer abroad than another group of students. (Dawyer, Peters).
This source is talking about the importance of internship. Students who do internship have better
chances to get a job. Internships for students who study abroad provide better opportunities.
Some students think studying in a foreign country makes them learn the language
immediately or really soon. This kind of thinking will make students disappointed, and it will
give them a bad background from studying abroad. Usually, students with this type of
perspective will feel the loneliness often and decide to give up on studying in a foreign country.
Another disadvantage of studying in a foreign country can be money. Studying abroad can be
more expensive than what students think; it will give them a big financially shock. Moreover,
some countries do not let international or foreign students work, so they need to have money
before get in to those countries or have someone from home to supporting them. In some cases
students who study abroad gets attach to atmosphere of that country, and they never one to go
back home. It will be as hard living in a foreign country as to come back to your own. Some
students might fall in love while they study abroad, and they life will change; they cannot stay
for a long time because their visa will expire, so it can cause another problem. Some colleges or
universities do not accept those credits that students took in foreign countries, so it makes
another problem for students who study in foreign countries. (M 2010).
This source is focusing on financial issues of studying abroad and some benefits of it. Some
countries will not let international students get a job. Students must be sure about financial
supports before they travel.
Driving in foreign countries is another issue. Most students have problem with
getting an international driver license. Since having an international driver license is expensive
and hard to get, Students who study abroad have a big transportation issues. It will limit them
since they do not have any car, so it affects of their loneliness more. (Students Abroad).
This source is focusing on some transportation issues. People in foreign countries struggle with
transportation issues and it can limit them. Students who study abroad can get an international
license to make their transportation easier.
According to Mr. Anderson, journalist, college graduates who study abroad in different
countries almost earn $70,00 more in beginning of their salaries than general students who have
not been tried study abroad. He provided a survey in 2012 that shows studying abroad is one of
the best ways to find a job sooner right after graduation for people who have done study abroad.
(2012).
This journal is talking about the job opportunities. Study abroad gives better opportunities to
students in order to get a job. Students who study abroad must be aware of the opportunity that
study abroad provides them; they have better chances to get a more salary compare to students
who did not try study abroad.
My View:
Many people have been talking about studying abroad, but they haven't clearly explained
what kind of view students will be getting. In my opinion, students must be able to see what
elements in their life will change after studying abroad. Studying abroad has lot of advantages
and of course disadvantages. Some writers or articles call problems “disadvantages”. Sometimes
problems and hard times in some conditions can make you a better and stronger person. In this
case, students who want to study abroad will be lonely especially at the beginning of the trip to
another country they can be isolated, but I think it can not count as a disadvantage because it will
help you to find yourself more and be on your own, so it makes you independent.
Studying abroad will introduce you to a new world. It is a great opportunity to get to
know about different cultures, social behaviors, and people. Knowing different people allows
you to be more social and open minded. This loneliness sometimes makes some students to
contribute in international organizations and clubs more because they will find some people that
have the same feelings and problems. (Karvani 2013).
According to my observation international activities are pretty much effective and useful for
international people. International organizations at schools help students to get along with the
new environment. Students who study abroad must contribute in some international activities; it
helps them to find friends in foreign countries.
In my opinion, Studying abroad has a significant impact on your life. It allows you to see
different technology or behaviors, so you will be able to choose what is the best for you and use
it in your life. Students will able to bring new ideas to their environment and home and let
another people to use these ideas too. It can be a idea of new technology which they can use it in
a job environments, or it can be a educational advise which they might transport ideas to their
schools. In some cases students find themselves while they study abroad; it will affect their life
and the people around them. I think studying abroad is a big change in people’s life; getting use
to new and strange situations and conditions is not easy, but big changes make people change to
a better person, so I think this is the best advantage of studying abroad. I believe that cultural
shock will discourage students who study abroad too, but I think students must make themselves
ready to see these differences between their culture and the new cultures while they are doing
study abroad. It even can be a practice to adjust themselves to the new things.
I think studying abroad can improve the value of your degree. You will take some
courses that you never have had the opportunity to take at your home university. It also will
improve your employment opportunity. In my opinion, all students need to try study abroad
because it will teach you lot of thing in your educational and real life. Michael Obama believes
"Studying abroad isn't just an important part of a well-rounded educational experience. It's also
becoming increasingly important for success in the modern global economy." (Michelle Obama
2011).
Conclusion:
Studying abroad can be so useful or very useless at the same time. It all depends on
students’ decisions and reactions to the new things. They will have to decide whether they want
to adapt to the new conditions or not. Of course, there are many ways to get rid of disadvantages
and make study abroad easy and valuable. One of the most important things that students who
are going to study abroad need to attention is their educational plan and those credits they are
going to take in a foreign country. It will not count as a disadvantage, but it can cause a problem
if their university will not accept their credits, so they must talk to their academic advisor about
how to fit study abroad in their college plans and what classes or credits will transfer. If gaining
international qualifications is on their priority list, students surely have to consider which
universities are famous for their field of study, or how to make the enrolment process. All these
elements require a good advise from consolers and family advises.
The best way to make the trip to another country easier is reducing the cultural shock level.
Students need to study about the country they are going to do study abroad in before they leave
their home country. Getting to know a new culture you are going to deal with in future will give
you a chance to be more comfortable with it and understand it better. Actually, many people
experience culture shock in their own country, for example, by visiting a new region for the first
time, so it just needs a practice and knowledge. Loneliness is one of the problems for students in
foreign countries, but there is also a solution for that too. Students must search and contact their
school that they are going to attend in and find out about organizations or clubs they are
interested in. It will help them to meet more people, make friend, and not be isolated at the
beginning of the trip. It also keeps them active, so they forget the loneliness. Studying abroad
like another plans starts with some problems, but it needs time to get use to it and adapt to it.
Solving with its problems might be hard but it will worth it because it can change your life and
education.
Above and beyond:
Requirements for applying study abroad at UNCC, LETS APPLY NOW!!
This form is copied from UNCC’s Web site. (ebroad at UNCC.)
HOW TO COMPLETE AN EDUCATION ABROAD ADVISING AGREEMENT AND PERMIT FOR TRANSIENT STUDY
This page was created to remind you of the steps required to complete the Advising Agreement for your study abroad program. The Advising Agreement acts as an “academic insurance policy” for your study abroad coursework. A properly completed form guarantees that if you take the courses listed on your completed Advising Agreement, you will receive the credit shown once the University receives your transcript from abroad showing coursework listed on the agreement.
TERMINOLOGY
HOST INSTITUTION—the institution where you will be studying abroadTERM(S) OF EXCHANGE—the semester(s) and year that you will be studying abroadYEAR IN SCHOOL AT TIME ABROAD—will you be considered a Sophomore, Junior, Senior, or Graduate
Student during your time abroad?
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
1. The Advising Agreement is due before you leave to study abroad. The Advising Agreement can be turned in anytime AFTER your initial program application as long as you turn it in before you study abroad.
2. Do not wait until the last minute to obtain signatures on these forms. Professors and administrators have very busy schedules, and it may take days to obtain the appropriate signatures.
3. You will need to sign up for more courses than you can take because class availability may be limited. We suggest that you have 6-8 courses approved for each term you plan to be abroad.
4. Please hand-deliver this form to each department chair for a signature. Do not ask a department to forward to the next office. If this form is lost in transit, you will have to start all over!
5. Its okay to leave your form for a signature and pick it up later, but we recommend you ask for a copy before you leave it. This way, if the form is lost, you can start at the point at which you have a copy instead of starting from scratch.
6. BEFORE you get signatures at the bottom of the form, be sure you have an approved departmental signature to the right of every course listed AND an actual UNC Charlotte course number and title. (Ex: An equivalency of “PSYC elective” without a course number will not be accepted by the Registrar when you return. You need to have an actual course such as “PSYC 3001 Topics” or “PSYC 3114 Motivation” for each course on your form.)
7. Remember to obtain ALL of the necessary signatures listed at the bottom of the Advising Agreement in order (you, your advisor, your major department chair, the Dean of your college, Education Abroad).
8. If all of the credit you are receiving is toward your minor, you may cross out “major” at the bottom of the form and write in “minor” and obtain those signatures instead of your major
department’s signatures.
9. If you are having credit from both your major and minor approved, you will need to get both major and minor signatures. You can simply write in a line for the minor signatures.
10. You must obtain the signature of the Dean from the college that your major is in. If you’re not sure which college you’re in, please look online or ask your advisor.
11. To receive graduate credit you must have the signature of the Graduate Dean.
OFFICE OF EDUCATION ABROAD/256 College of Health and Human Services OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMSTHE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTETEL: 704.687.7747 ▪ FAX: 704.687.3168 ▪ www.edabroad.uncc.edu
Interviewing Jason Adouli who went to London a year ago for Studying Abroad:
1) When students should study abroad?
Usually junior year is the best, but it is not a rule. Students must think about their
academic schedule and talk to their advisors to make sure which college is going to work
better with their major and what classes they need to take. These elements are the most
important things.
2) Will the grads you earn during study abroad affect your GPA?
No they will not, they will be transfer to your university and it will show that you already
passed those courses but they will not affect your GPA.
3) Would you recommend study abroad to another students?
Of course I do, It was the greatest experience in my life. It was not as good as what I thought
in the beginning. It was though and of course hard to get along with people and environment,
but after one or two months everything changed and I enjoyed it more than what I expected.
Work Cited
Lee, Manchester. Wagner College, "Tips for Studying Abroad." Accessed October 1, 2013.
http://Wagner.edu/intercultural/study-abroad/programs/pre-departure-information/
Mr. Lee is focusing on importance of cultural shock at this point. Cultural shock is one of the
most important elements that people struggle with in foreign countries. Students who study
abroad must prepare themselves before they leave their home, they need to study about new
culture that they are going to deal with.
Mary, Dwyer, and Peters Courtney. IES Abroad, "The Benefits of Studying Abroad." Accessed
October 1, 2013. http://www.iesabroad.org/study-abroad/news/benefits-study-abroad.
IES is studying about different ways to learn a new language. One of the good ideas to learn a
new language is going to study abroad. Students who study abroad have better chances to learn
the new language.
Students Abroad, "Driving Abroad." Accessed October 3, 2013.
http://studentsabroad.state.gov/smarttravel/drivingabroadphp.
This source is focusing on some transportation issues. People in foreign countries struggle with
transportation issues and it can limit them. Students who study abroad can get an international
license to make their transportation easier.
UNC Charlotte Office of Education Abroad, "Why Study Abroad." Accessed October 3, 2013.
https://edabroad.uncc.edu/prospective-and-current-students/why-study-abroad.
UNC Charlotte Office of Education of Abroad is trying to aware its students about benefits of
studying abroad. They strongly suggest students get enough information before go to another
countries. Advising for studying abroad is one of the useful ways to refuse major issues.
M, Mary. "Disadvantages of Studying Abroad." April 21, 2010, Accessed October 3, 2013
http://www.slideshare.net/xxrockerz/disadvantages-of-studying-abroad
This source is focusing on financial issues of studying abroad and some benefits of it. Some
countries will not let international students get a job. Students must be sure about financial
supports before they travel.
Anderson, Cook. NC Live, "STUDYING ABROAD IN COLLEGE HELPS GRADUATES
MAKE MORE MONEY AND LAND JOBS FASTER." Last modified December 2012.
Accessed October 4, 2013. http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?vid=3&sid=bcd4fc4f-
a2fc-4357-b282-122dc7f18dc2@sessionmgrl198&hid=102&bdata=jnNpdGU9ZWRzL
WxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c210ZQ==
This journal is talking about the job opportunities. Study abroad gives better opportunities to
students in order to get a job. Students who study abroad must be aware of the opportunity that
study abroad provides them; they have better chances to get a more salary compare to students
who did not try study abroad.
Deakers, Christine. "Studying Abroad Provides Invaluable Life Experiences." June 21, 2011,
Accessed October 3, 2013.
http://www.dailycal.org/2011/06/12/studying-abroad-provides-invaluable-life-
experiences/
Mr. Deakers talks about some advantages and disadvantages of study abroad. Students have
chance to be on their own and independent while they study abroad. Being independent helps
students who live in another country solve their problems much better.
Shum, Hung Lok. "The Pross and Cons of Studying Abroad."
http://web02.carmelss.edu.hk/buddingwriters/index.php?option=com_content&view=arti
cle&id=874:the-pros-and-cons-of-studying-abroad337&catid=109:2010-
2011&Itemid=66
Mr. Shum is focusing on some emotional and parental issues that study abroad may cause.
Families can be so much supportive, but in some points support of the family can be limited.
Students must understand that they will be lonely at the first during study abroad, but they never
lose their family’s support.
Sit Study Abroad, "Benefits of Studying Abroad." Accessed October 4, 2013.
http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/1050.htm.
This source is focusing on advantages and these advantages of study in another country.
Different behaviors and cultures can be hard to deal with. Students who want to study abroad
need to study about the place the want to go.
Karvani, Arsalan. “Observation Notes of International organization” Handout. University of
North Carolina at Charlotte. September 9, 2013.
According to my observation international activities are pretty much effective and useful for
international people. International organizations at UNCC help students to get along with the
new environment. Students who study abroad must contribute in some international activities; it
helps them to find friends in foreign countries.