My nephew Michael just finished his junior year abroad in Alexandria, Egypt. He’s studying English Literature and Arabic at Middlebury College. While working on the Middlebury campus this summer as a research assistant, he agreed to provide a student’s point of view on the topic of study abroad.
What influenced your decision to study abroad?
My father grew up traveling and took us children exploring from a young age, and he encouraged me to learn about other places. However, had you asked me in high school what country I would study in, or what language I would use, I would never have said Egypt or Arabic. I fell into it.
What important lessons have you taken away from the experience?
I thought language study would be key to the entire experience. I had spent two academic years studying Arabic followed by a full-immersion summer with the Middlebury College Language School. Even with all of that, I had to re-develop myself in Arabic. Immersion affords one the opportunity to re-examine your lifestyle, your perspectives, your own culture. Immersion allows you to examine what is truly important to you.
What practical advice would you give to fellow students considering studying abroad?
· Consider location, especially if the focus of studying abroad is learning a language.
· Stay a year. A year-long experience beats out a semester any day. But go home at the halfway point. A year is exhausting, and a short burst of familiarity might help you re-adjust when you return.
· Once you’re there, don’t panic. Nearly everything will be different from what you’ve heard.
· Don’t expect an American academic system. And don’t expect the same resources.
What might your college have done to make the experience better?
Linguistic acquisition is the heart and soul at Middlebury. However, more incorporation into the university proper would have been helpful. Most centers tend to isolate foreigners from native speakers.
What is your most memorable experience?
Next in this series: Using interactive technology to learn a foreign language.
Stacie Nevadomski Berdan has spent years living and working abroad. She is a speaker and consultant and co-author of Get Ahead By Going Abroad: A Woman’s Guide to Fast-Track Career Success
. Reach her at StacieNBerdan@aol.com or 203.228.4062.