The University of Wisconsin ranked sixth in the country for percentage of its student body studying abroad, according to the latest Public Research Universities study.
“The steady growth in interest is partly due to [the university’s] efforts to offer programs which will transfer credits for students in the professional schools such as Engineering and Business,” said Joan Raducha, associate dean of International Studies and director of International Academic Programs.
While many students believe studying abroad will keep them from graduating on time, Raducha argued that such a notion is unfounded. Students can participate in several programs in which they can earn resident UW credits.
“In this day and age every student who enters UW-Madison should seriously think about studying abroad at some time,” Raducha said, adding studying abroad programs offer young people with an invaluable experience. “It is not merely a luxury. It is an important part of education and is viewed as an important career skill.”
In a UW Alumni survey, study abroad was consistently ranked as the number one highlight of college experience. Many current UW students could not agree more.
“I’ve lived in Wisconsin my whole life,” said Erin Jesberger, a UW senior who recently returned from London. “It was the perfect time to expand my horizons. Plus, it was the only way I could justify spending $17,000 to go to Europe!”
Raducha assures students money is not a serious issue, since, “there are many scholarships available and financial aid may be directly applied to the trip.” Although financial hurdles to studying abroad may be less daunting than in the past, many Americans still must face stereotypes while living in another country.
“They can tell you are an American if you are wearing tennis shoes or sweatpants. They think we dress like slobs,” Raducha said.
Politics stands as one of the most heated topics of debate between UW students and non-Americans. According to Raducha, many foreigners are interested to know Americans’ stance on politics, often asking students, “Do you like Bush?”.
Yet regardless of any political tensions surfacing while in another country, students ensure studying abroad is a worthwhile experience.
Jessica Marzolf, a UW senior who studied in Kenya, said she felt welcome while living there.
“Kenyan people embraced me as one of them, I suppose largely [because of the] fewer Americans studying there,” Marzolf said. “They are very curious about the independence and freedom we have in America.”
While learning about the culture in a country prior to studying there is usually not required to register in a UW program abroad, students who lived in another country usually say such knowledge is still valuable.
“I think the more you know about a culture which you are entering, the more you get out of the experience,” said Raducha.
Muhammed Bah, an international student from Guinea currently studying at the UW, said it was much easier to befriend Americans studying in Guinea who knew his native tongue.
“I really had a respect for those who came to [Guinea] and could speak to me in my language. Those people were so cool to me,” he said.
Students interested in studying abroad should attend the Study Abroad Fair in the Great Hall at Memorial Union, Tuesday, Sept. 21.