What are your kids doing after school? Should you encourage them to go overseas to study?

Aug. 15, 2011 - PRLog -- Whether your son or daughter is studying Business, Fashion Design, Medicine, or Hospitality Management, a study abroad program can be of immense benefit and help them gain skills they can’t get at home: better cross-cultural communication, a competitive advantage when pursuing higher education or career opportunities, and exposure to new global perspectives and ideas, all while earning an international degree.

According to the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE)’s World of Learning: Canadian Post-Secondary Students and the Study Abroad Experience report, 90% of the general public believes that study abroad is a valuable experience. According to the same survey, 91% of employers were also on board and identified an extensive list of benefits, including a better understanding of cultural differences inside and outside the workplace, more world experience which makes for an easier adaptation to unfamiliar environments and enhanced life skills. Students graduating in the 21st century need international skills to succeed in today’s global economy and many believe that studying abroad should be an expectation.  

Komail Naqvi, currently studying at UBC and a truly international student, says “Studying and living in Pakistan, Canada, China and now Europe has allowed me to pocket different lenses from which to view the world and experience the cultures within it.” Komail’s also a professional free-lance photographer, hence the analogy. “Developing business and personal networking relationships with people from all nationalities imaginable are things I would never have achieved had I not travelled and studied abroad. The world has everything to offer and more, if you only reach out for it”.

“What about security?”, “I can’t afford it”, “What if my daughter decides to stay overseas?” Like most parents, you probably have some reservations about sending your child (now grown up) away. Let’s address the cost issue as there is a misconception that studying abroad is expensive, which doesn’t have to be the case. University fees vary greatly depending on the country and the program, and various academic and athletic scholarships are available, especially in the US and England. In a few countries, Finland for example, programs are in English and Bachelor’s, Doctoral and some Master’s programs are free of charge to international students. In Norway, as well, generally degrees are free.  You will still need to pay for accommodation and books – but if your son or daughter decides not to study at the local university you will be paying that in any case.

Among the reasons cited by students for wanting to study overseas are the greater variety of programs available overseas and the difficulty in getting into their chosen programs in Canada. Some programs in Canada, like Medicine for example, are notoriously difficult to get into (30% acceptance rate for first time applicants) especially in BC and Ontario, and many students are not willing to put their lives on hold to keep trying. This is one of the reasons that almost a third of Canadians studying Medicine are studying outside of Canada – with the Caribbean as the number one choice and Ireland in second place.  

“I would recommend studying abroad as it opens your eyes to new cultures and also forces you to give up some of your innate stereotypes that you may have about people and other cultures. I think it also makes you much more independent and forces you to break away from being a creature of habit and returning home anytime school gets tough”, says Glen Wiggins, who completed a Biology degree and a Master’s  program in the USA.  Glen is currently Senior Hydrographic Surveyor at the Port of Hull in the UK.  

The trend towards the ‘internationalization’ of education in Canada continues in an upward spiral. As the next generation realizes the importance of becoming ‘global citizens’, education providers, parents, employers and the community as a whole are behind them.  Do your research, check out the options and don’t miss the opportunity to meet directly with universities from many different countries at the Fall Study and Go Abroad Fair. Check the website www.studyandgoabroad.com for information on when the fair comes to a city near you.

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The Study and Go Abroad fairs are in their 18th year in Canada and are organized by Recruit in Canada. Exhibitors at the events are universities from around the world, and visitors are Canadian students who are researching their options for academic, personal and professional development abroad.