edu-ma-cation
Studying Abroad Going to school during the coldest, darkplaces, discover a est part of the Canadifferent culture, dian winter can be a drag. Lacing up winand learn in ter boots, bundling unexpected ways. layers upon layers of clothing and looking out the window of your classroom to see slushy, slick sidewalks can have even the most patriotic of us daydreaming about jet-setting to a warmer locale and taking our classes by the beach for some seaside schooling.
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So why not make your daydream a reality? In addition to the friendlier climate, studying abroad and getting an education overseas can supercharge your résumé, amp up your education, and bring about some pretty cool life experiences. Here are the top five reasons to pack your bags and take off this semester.
TRANSLATE YOUR CLASSROOM LEARNING INTO REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCES By studying abroad, you’ll learn things about the world and different cultures that you could never learn by reading a textbook. “Study abroad programs enable students to have an international learning experience that lets them engage meaningfully with the world outside the classroom, thereby becoming knowledgeable global citizens,” said Sarah Witol, program manager of Professional and International Programs at Woodsworth College at the University of Toronto. “Through their participation, students are
able to relate what they learn in the classroom to real-world situations abroad through critical analysis and synthesis of the course materials.”
EXPLORE YOUR INTERESTS
“Travelling allows you to experience different cultures, foods, languages, and customs that to us are completely different from what you know,” said Anita Spence, a Wilfrid Laurier University graduate who completed an internship with the Contiki coach tour company and has traveled to more than a dozen countries including Australia, Kenya, South Africa, and a variety of European countries. “It opens our eyes to the world around us. “As well, traveling allows you to explore your own personal interests. For me, that meant exploring every possible adrenaline sport that passed in front of me. You want to go skydiving? You can do it! The beauty of travel is that everyone can experience what they want to experience.”
BEEF UP YOUR RÉSUMÉ
For Melissa DeSouza, a tour manager at EF Tours who completed an internship in Paris before entering the workforce, her international experience was what landed her the job. “When you are employed in Canada, you will most definitely be working with people from many different backgrounds,” she explained. “Once I had lived away from home myself, I found it so much easier to relate to people who were not originally from Canada and it made me a better employee.”
share your same academic interests and often a similar excitement for life. “During my last trip, I camped through Africa for three months,” said Spence. “This type of trip will only appeal to certain people and that was the wonderful thing about it! Everyone had the same passion for travelling, were outdoorsy, and everyone got along. We experienced so much together and they will be my life long friends.”
LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF
For DeSouza, the experience was as much about learning about herself as it was learning about another culture. “During my year away, I really came to appreciate home,” she said. “I learned about myself and realized that I could function independently, without my support networks. I had become accustomed to the comforts of home and when travelling, little things like finding a hairdresser were a fun challenge.” For Spence, the university experience would have been an entirely different one had she not taken the opportunity to travel abroad and she now recommends it to anyone considering the move. “Through my travels I have gained a new perspective on the world, more life lessons than I thought imaginable, met some of the most incredible people, and have experienced so many wonderful things. I absolutely love to travel and I would encourage anyone that wants to travel, to pack their bags and DO IT!”
MEET NEW PEOPLE
Getting your education abroad allows you to meet like-minded individuals, people that all
by Katie Edmonds
What Do be You
want to
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The Future of Learning january 2012 | jobpostings.ca