Going it Alone: Testing and Gaining Independence
[From the December 2009 Miami University Study Abroad Newsletter]
We have a wide range of study abroad programs at Miami for students from every field of study, for students with varying language levels and for students with varying levels of comfort in a foreign culture. Some students are looking for an opportunity to go out on their own and are looking for a very independent experience, while other students need more support or want to incorporate some of the comforts of home.
When you’re going abroad, you’ll never be completely alone. There will be other students who are in the same boat as you. But who will those students be?
If you’re going on a Sponsored program like MUDEC, an FSB summer program or the faculty-led short-term programs, it’s likely that the majority of the people participating in the program with you will be other Miami students. One advantage of going on a Sponsored program is that when you come back to campus after your study abroad experience, your program-mates will be here on campus with you. You might be in classes together or decide to room together based on the experiences you had abroad.
If you participate in an Exchange program like ISEP or one of the FSB exchanges, your classmates may be mainly local students from your host culture, and fellow exchange participants from around the world. Depending on the program, you might be one of very few Americans, but there will be other students from other countries who are going through similar experiences.
If you study abroad on a Co-Sponsored or Approved program, you’ll be in a group with other American college students. Depending on the program, you might be the only Miami student, or there might be several others. These will be the students you meet at your orientation and who participate with you in the cultural activities and excursions provided by the program. Depending on the program and the arrangements you choose, you might also live with your fellow program members, take classes with them, do research with them and/or work on service-learning projects with them. Other programs integrate you into the local culture so that you only see your fellow Americans for special events and program-sponsored excursions.
Everyone has different interests and needs, and this is just one of the aspects of study abroad to take into account. Wherever you go, you’ll meet interesting new people and be confronted by new ideas, values and experiences!
