Penn State, University of Notre Dame, University of Kentucky and Pacific Lutheran University participated in a recent study, which shows employers find value in Study Abroad when evaluating job search candidates˳ “In general, Study Abroad was looked upon favorably,” said Robert Domingo, a research associate at Penn State in an interview with The Daily Collegian˳ In the same survey, to which 352 employers responded, having the preferred academic major was ranked most desirable by employers and completing a major or minor in a foreign language was ranked second˳ Study abroad was ranked third˳
In a more recent study of 119 employers conducted by the Career Center at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 59% of respondents said that Study Abroad or other international experience, other than an internship, would be very valuable or somewhat valuable in an individual’s career later on with their organization˳
Study Abroad programs are becoming increasingly attractive as more and more college students seek meaningful ways to spend college breaks or explore true diversity of cultures˳ Additionally, as students return and share their positive experiences, others sign up to head overseas as well˳
Two great resources for students considering studying overseas are StudyAbroad˳com and Semester at Sea˳
StudyAbroad˳com is a comprehensive online source of information about educational opportunities for high school students, college students or graduate students wanting to study in other countries˳ It includes information on summer programs, internships, service learning programs and overseas volunteer opportunities˳ The information is easy to follow and is sorted by subject, country or city˳
Semester at Sea, run by the Institute for Shipboard Education, gets academic sponsorship from the University of Virginia where students can apply for credit for the 2007 summer trip˳ This trip will have students traversing the Western coast of Central America and South America˳ Stops this summer will include Chile, Peru, Costa Rica and Nicaragua˳ Financial aid is available to help students cover the $8000+ cost of the just over 2 month journey onboard the floating university˳ The Fall 2007 trip is scheduled for stops in Japan, Thailand, China and India while Puerto Rico, Brazil, South Africa and Mauritius are on tap for the Spring 2008 journey˳
No study abroad program is without risk and students and parents should do all the required due diligence to make sure these experiences do not end with less than positive results˳ Some general advice to be safe on a study abroad experience are as follows and include some tips from the University of Chicago’s Study Abroad program:
1˳ Be alert at all times˳ Remember you are in unfamiliar surroundings
2˳ Trust your instincts
3˳ Be cautious and protective with your cash
4˳ Observe political gatherings from a distance
5˳ Learn where the nearest police station, hospital and embassy is located
6˳ Stay sober and away from drugs and alcohol˳ This is not the time to lose focus
7˳ Be particularly alert while on public transportation and in public places
8˳ Be mindful of new friendships that develop too quickly
9˳ Make copies of all your important papers˳ Keep a set of copies with you as well as leave one at home˳
10˳ Be inconspicuous and try to blend in as much as possible˳ Avoid being the noisy tourist
11˳ Check in often with home˳ Have somewhat of a routine so that folks at home will know if you are off schedule˳
Source by https://ezinearticles˳com/?Employers-Value-Candidates-Who-Study-Abroad&id=839431
