As students here at UW-Madison, we recognize and appreciate the value of an education. Some of us may plan to use our degree to start a career, others to continue our studies. Yet what we gain from our experience at UW isn't just measured in midterms and homework. One of the best opportunities we have as students—one that will add countless value to our education—is the opportunity to study abroad.
At no other time in our adult lives will we have a better chance to spend an extended period of time in another country learning not only the language of the region, but also the unique culture. Studying abroad gives us the ability to learn or practice a new language, experience a different part of the world and develop ourselves professionally in today's hyper-competitive global economy. These experiences, as many who have studied abroad will tell you, are invaluable as we move on in our lives and our careers.
Learning a language is often an unnerving and challenging task for many, and is the first hesitation people have when thinking about studying abroad. It turns out that many different programs are offered at the university for people of all language proficiencies. For example, the Tianjin Study Abroad Program, one of the best Chinese study abroad programs in the country, offers courses from first-semester
Chinese all the way to eighth-semester Chinese.
Students in the program study at Nankai University, the fourth best University in China, and practice not only the language, but also are exposed to China's rich culture and impressive history. This program, along with many like it, is open to all students regardless of language experience.
For those that do study a language, studying abroad is perhaps the best way to become proficient. It is difficult to be skilled in a language that is learned in a classroom for only an hour a day. Studying abroad gives us an excellent opportunity to learn and develop our language skills as well as provide us with confidence that is normally hard to gain sitting at a desk. While language immersion is one of the most common reasons people choose to go abroad, there are many other benefits to consider.
Learning another culture's customs and traditions not only helps us appreciate the cultures that we study, but can also help us appreciate our own country even more. Whether that means something as simple as being able to choke down a hamburger whenever we want or as significant as being able to attend school, many who have studied abroad have come to appreciate just how lucky we are to live in this country.
In addition to academic and cultural benefits, studying abroad also allows us to develop professionally. In today's economy, companies are looking more and more to people who have an understanding of another country, specifically that other country's business culture.
While abroad, many students have the opportunity to intern with American corporations or foreign corporations in need of English speakers. Developing these relations during undergraduate study can potentially lead to a job working with that company or in a field in which we interned directly after graduation. Our competition is no longer with just our fellow classmates, it is with India and China, economies which have been developing at a rapid pace.
Studying abroad offers many opportunities for all of us here on campus. Almost anyone you talk to who has studied abroad will tell you that it was an unforgettable experience. UW-Madison offers many different forms of financial aid and scholarships, making it affordable for almost anyone who is already a student here. And as students, we should take full advantage of these opportunities for they are certain to benefit our future.
Matt Payne is a junior majoring in Chinese and economics. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
