Studying abroad is a time-honored tradition among college students, even if there aren’t as many doing so as is commonly believed.
Just 283,332 students studied abroad for academic credit in 2011-12, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators. That’s only about 1% of students enrolled at institutions of higher learning in the United States.
Of those students, 53.3% studied in Europe, with 15.8% in Latin America, 12.4% in Asia and 6.4% who visited multiple regions. Just 4.5% apiece visited Oceania or Africa, while 2.5% studied in the Middle East and 0.6% were in North America.
Want to join that crowd? Want to hit up more than one continent?
Then consider studying online while traveling.
Make a plan
It’s going to take organization to travel while studying, but it can be done – and it may not be as difficult as it seems.
For one thing, you’ll have plenty of downtime in which to fit in studying. Whether you’re stuck on a plane, traveling in a car or just relaxing in a hotel, there’s usually free time available.
Be prepared and plan ahead. Before leaving on a trip, complete a few assignments, especially the more difficult things such as term papers and tests, which are harder to complete on the road than, say, reading.
Of course, make sure you have Internet access because instructors of online classes are not going to accept the inability to go online as an excuse for not completing assignments. And take along any non-electronic materials you might need.
Use best practices
Make sure to backup copies of all important documents online in case your laptop is damaged. That might mean archiving files on your school’s learning management system or saving them to a free storage service such as Dropbox.com. At minimum, email yourself with everything you’ll need.
Speaking of the Internet, always have a backup plan in case your hotel’s promised Wi-Fi is nonexistent or spotty.
Meantime, if class lectures are available as downloads, listen to them on your mobile device so you can listen as you travel.
While traveling, set incremental goals. Completing a 25-page paper will be nearly impossible, so concentrate on bite-sized projects.
Consider interning abroad
Because the world is increasingly interconnected, international programs are especially valuable for young professionals. That means businesses want to expand into the global marketplace — and want employees who can work internationally. Someone who interns abroad has a leg up in showing employers they are ready to help them worldwide.
And overseas internships do more than just build resumes because they help students grow by exposing them to ideas, cultures and professional interests they might not find at home.
Another advantage is that skills that are commonplace in the United State may be rare and highly valued elsewhere, opening up good opportunities that don’t exist at home.
As with domestic internships, there are a wide variety of possibilities overseas. Some offer paid positions, while others are unpaid but do provide educational credits, training and language courses.
An online search is the best way to start a search for an international internship. Many programs are university affiliated, so don’t forget to check with your own school for options.
Please Leave A Comment
Related posts:
More Americans Study Abroad, As More International Students Come to the U.S.
Why Choose an Online MBA Program?
International Business Jobs & Degree Information
Study: Majority of Adults Who Re-Enroll in College Never Graduate
Master of Finance Degree and Flex MBA Program Added to UC Riverside Offerings