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Most students know other Boston College students who, after coming back from abroad, profess their love for their temporary home. Students often hear from friends that spending a few months in another country is the experience of a lifetime, one that is both treasured and remembered. In a few short months, those students who choose to go abroad are exposed to a new culture and an amazing transformation takes place. Studying in new surroundings can be exciting as well as humbling as students grow and cultivate new aspects of their indivuality. They are not accustomed to the vernacular or traditions, no longer in their comfort zone. It is for many, a wake- up call. This awakening removes students from the sheltered life they have known at home, while expanding their horizons. Students are free to find new mentors and make new friends, in an environment where they are completely anonymous. It is liberating, difficult at times, and gives one a better individual perspective.
The opportunity to meet new people in a different place is not only fun and interesting but also important, allowing students the ability to test and discuss their ideas with those who come from a different culture and have a different perspective.
While studying abroad is certainly life-changing, some juniors opt out. Some are excited to have the chance to live off campus with their friends. Others have no interest, feeling as though a summer program in the future is a better choice. Some students have personal reasons to stay; others don't have the option, such as athletes and pre-med students who often have obligations to stay on campus.
In most cases, athletes are permitted to study abroad; however, under some circumstances spending a semester or year away is frowned upon. Athletic scholarship recipients are bound to campus their junior year and many athletes feel it is their duty to stay with the team all year for competitive purposes. Track and field runner Alicia Henry, A&S '09, said, "I had the opportunity to study abroad, but I felt that it would have hindered my progress as a runner. If I was in a different country, I would not be able to practice and receive the coaching the way I do when I am on campus at BC."
Because BC's pre-med program has such a demanding course load, it can be prohibitively difficult to make plans to study abroad. The MCATs are usually taken at the end of junior year for students wishing to start medical school the year after graduation. The committee process for applying to medical school also begins in November of junior year, so going abroad may set back plans to apply. Sarah Catalano, A&S '09, said, "Being accepted early to Tufts University School of Medicine opened up the opportunity for me to go abroad this year, but I still felt that I would be best prepared by staying at BC my entire junior year. I am considering taking part in a summer program abroad so that I can experience life abroad without missing any time at BC."
Nursing students have to cope with similar difficulties. The nursing curriculum is rigorous and all nursing students are expected to complete a set amount of clinical rotations.
Alexandra Dezell, CSON '09, explained, "Going abroad was something that I thought long and hard about. I originally really wanted to go, but then realized how stressful the rest of college would be if I did. I would be spending two days a week in the hospital (two clinical rotations a semester) until I graduated. I want to have fun and enjoy myself second semester of senior year and not have to worry about nursing classes."
Dezell also stated, however, that she was able to visit two good friends from BC in Australia this summer while they were abroad. She reflected positively on the experience, but she acknowledged that she would have been homesick if she was away for four and a half months.
Homesickness is a big obstacle for many students.
Studying in a different country for a semester or two may seem like a brave thing to do for some. A student has to be comfortable living with strangers and embracing unknown territory. Many people prefer the comforts of home, family, and friends and therefore choose to stay in the States. There are also plenty of students who can get a taste of the experience through visiting friends or participating in summer programs.
As opposed to the regular study abroad programs, the summer programs are available for all students, regardless of GPA or class year. For semester and yearlong programs, BC has a GPA standard that must be met in order to study abroad. Usually, students are expected to have a GPA of a 3.2 in order to do so.
BC has a wide variety of choices when it comes to signing up for a summer program, including countries throughout Asia, Europe, and Latin America, and offering over 70 programs in over 30 countries on six continents, some of which offer students internship and service opportunities. The Office for International Programs reports that 1,000 students and faculty participate in study abroad programs each year. The office is based out of the Hovey House, the 120-year-old Chestnut Hill mansion located on Hammond Street. Hovey House has an ample supply of information for those who are looking to study abroad.
Several departments at BC encourage their students to go abroad, seeing it as a culturally and academically enriching experience in terms of their field of study. These departments include, but are not limited to, political science, geology and geophysics, and fine arts.
Political science majors can find studying abroad useful in terms of gaining a better cross-cultural perspective on politics. Foreign language fluency is also one of the main benefits of studying abroad and can be a beneficial asset for political science students. The geology and geophysics department believes strongly in going abroad as they feel the experience exposes their students not only to other cultures but to other physical environments and geological situations. The fine arts department also strongly believes that the study of art history in a location where there are first-class museums and programs will greatly enhance the student's understanding of the works of art when seen in their original context.
With so many study options for students on campus and abroad, the decision to study abroad can be a difficult one.
BC, as a top university, has an obligation to make sure its students are well-informed and culturally aware, avoiding provincial thoughts. As a Jesuit institution we believe that "the mission of Boston College is rooted in this dynamic integrity of the academic and the religious, a coherence of the divine and the human that reaches its fullest expression in Jesus Christ and extends to all forms of human culture and knowledge."
Although some students don't study abroad - whether it be a personal decision, an athletic decision, or an impossibility because of courseload - studying abroad is a great way to help students both understand themselves and other cultures.
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