The number of college students choosing to study abroad is increasing, according to The Institute for Higher Education. Proponents of study abroad programs cite their benefit to individual personal growth through exposure to different cultures, governments and languages, and the acquisition of skills needed in changing global economy.
Critics argue the cost of these programs, which are often too high to appeal to first-generation college students and minorities. There are also safety concerns as the threats posed by intolerance and terrorism rise in many countries around the world, causing many colleges and universities to grapple with potentially suspending certain study abroad programs.
Do study abroad experiences live up to the hype? Join us, the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, International Partners in Mission, and the Northeast Ohio Consortium for Middle Eastern Studies (NOCMES) for a conversation with Northeast Ohio college students about the benefits and challenges of their study abroad experiences.