I wanted to share this opinion piece by Rick Steves, the gone-everywhere-in-Europe man and of PBS fame. Take a look. The article essentially states that studying abroad should be a necessity--necessary, even, for graduation--for university students. All the usual arguments apply--better understanding of different cultures, appreciation for those differences, better ability to live and work in a globalized world. As cliche as they are, they still ring true.
Steves calls on Congress to pass an act that would allocate $80 million to incentivize students to study abroad. While $80 million may seem like a lot in these difficult economic times in the US, it is merely a speckle of a drop of water in a bucket that is the overall budget. And the long-term benefits in terms of personal and economic growth and potential (which then goes back into the economy) far outweighs any upfront costs.
Here is a quote from the article: "Americans who want our next generation to be hands-on with the world — grappling constructively with international partners against daunting challenges that ignore political borders, working competitively in a globalized economy, and having enthusiasm rather than anxiety about other cultures and approaches to persistent problems — can get on board with the movement to help our students get a globalized education."
Hear, hear, Rick Steves.
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