Studying abroad alters students' world consciousness
By Hannah Drown, Staff Writer
February 15, 2008 | 3 p.m.
One of the greatest assets that a young person can have today is an awareness of the world around them. Ohio University and Education Abroad offer seemingly endless destinations at affordable prices for any student looking for a multicultural experience.
For language majors and non-majors alike, the opportunity to study abroad is one that comes with much excitement and anxiety.
“Overwhelmingly, for students who have studied abroad, it’s the most important experience of their college years,” OU modern language professor Jeff Marks said.
This is not to say, however, that such an exciting experience does not come with its struggles.
"The major difficulties all occur in the first two weeks and then disappear," said junior Emily Mitolo, who is currently studying in Toledo, Spain. "For me, I was feeling like it would be no big deal, and the very first night with the [host] family I just cried all night thinking, 'What the hell did I get myself into?'"
Students studying in Toledo, Spain, live with host families. Many find it to be a scary thought, but when studying abroad to learn a language, living with a host family is one of the best ways to constantly engross oneself in a different culture.
“The challenge of living with a family is probably the most daunting," Marks said. "In the end it turns out to be easier than they imagined.”
Mitolo realized that everyone she was studying with felt the same fear as she did.
“Ever since the first night everything gets better and easier every day,” she said.
According to most students who have participated, the reason studying abroad is so important is the uniqueness of what is learned.
"This is such a learning experience in all aspects," Mitolo said. "I have learned so much about the language and culture, as well as about myself and the strength of my abilities."
Americans abroad sometimes have a harder time fitting in the world community. With the political climate the way it is today, many students abroad feel stigmatized for their country of origin.
“People act like you are dumb and won’t give you the time of day, but that was mostly at the beginning,” Mitolo said. “Once we have been regulars everyone opens up.”
Many believe that being chastised as an American citizen helps the students take a step back and look at their country as a whole.
“A lot of people don’t realize that the United States is really an anomaly in the world, both politically and socially," Marks said. "I’ve seen students make strides abroad in terms of their political and social thinking and there’s no way they’d do that here."
Not only do the students look back on their own country to challenge their former beliefs, but they also look at other cultures. The way other societies work is equally intriguing.
“There’s so many cultural differences, it makes you more aware," said Jan Harmon, departmental administrator of modern languages. "I know when I was younger, it was so hard to believe what’s happening here and how it’s completely different in France or Spain or Russia, whatever the case may be.”
Many Americans have never taken in that look from the outside.
“It’d be nice if all Americans, not just students and not just certain majors, could have the experience,” Marks said.
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For more information on studying abroad at OU, visit Education Abroad.