In this moment I am living a great opportunity; probably one of the best times of my life. I am studying abroad in Europe (in Spain). And when I say this I do not mean to say that education is better in one place or the other, but just by thinking about the fact of being in another continent; with a different culture and abundant world perspectives...that brings me a new panorama of the globe itself and with this, of my career.
When I think about it I know I am one of the lucky Mexican, and in general Latin American students, who got a scholarship or a grant and with this, I am being able to have a once in a life time experience.
I believe that scholarship and financial opportunities for students to attend school/University in different countries are a very important incentive in order to create a multicultural understanding and I would affirm with this, create a better world.
Picture taken from myglobaleducation.com
An accurate example about this subject would be Fundacion Carolina in Spain, who give financial opportunities to Latin American students in order to “promote and support cultural relations and an educational cooperation between Spain and Iberoamerican nations”.
How important is learning and studying abroad for a student? It is common for EU students to travel and study within Europe, but how about spending some time in a developing world University? Would this be able to open a new perspective about the developing world?
(Andrea Arzaba. June 2010)
That’s a very interesting idea Andrea. Do you know about such initiatives or it’s just an idea you had (and a very good one I would say).
Hi, well I guess it is quite common now in EU to study abroad, especially in frame of Erasmus programme. I havn’t done that because I took a gap year and went for volunteering to Siberia. I wish to study in Western European country and learn language more. However Erasmus is presumed among students as a big party so have more in common with social learning than knowledge exchanging
@Iwona: Who said social learning is not more useful than knowledge exchange?
Andrea, it is indeed quite common for students in the EU to have a semester or two in another country under the Erasmus programme, as Iwona already said. Erasmus covers some basic expenses, depending on the country you can get 300 or so euros (hey, this was like 5 years ago, so by now it has probably changed), so you still have to have cash if you want to study abroad.
My personal experience with Erasmus was a negative one, because the selection process was so corrupt they didn’t even try to hide it. Friends of the commission got the placements, and everybody knew that. It was just ugly.
Otherwise, I agree with you, it’s very healthy to live abroad for a while.
@Carmen - well, of course it’s usefull, very usefull. just the question is what is the priority for EU - intercultural learning and integration or bringing up well-educated youth that can compete with students all over the world. eramus looks that is more about intercultural learning
and integration
@Giedre - at my university there were always planty of places letf… of course th popular destinations like Berlin, Prague or Barcelona were covered but still many of my friends used to find the gap how to go even to those popular destinations.
Nice idea although I used my ERASMUS year to travel abroad to study in a French university the same course as I was doing in my home university as because of its high reputation it would enhance my academic profile and my degree. I know many of my fellow students used it (and the ERASMUS bursary) as an excuse to party - a year out. Maybe therefore they would be interested in your idea, but it’s not something I would personally consider myself.
Andrea, very good idea. Studying or working abroad definitely broadens horizons. I did both myself and it has enriched my life. Besides parties
, I learnt to respect other cultures and I became patient when explaining things. What seems as obvious in one culture is hard to understand in the other.
Hi Andrea, thanks again for underlying this aspect. I think it is indeed important an exchange experience abroad, because it is not only about a study abroad, but it is also about ddiscovering a new culture, way of thinking, society, language… so I strongly supprot these kind of initiatives
About developing a World University, i think its extremely difficult in Latin America, because even though we ( I mean, you and me, UIA, TEC, ANAHUAC) have the chance to go abroad, 90% of the university students in Mexico, do not have that chance, actually most of them when they finish theyre studies , they have to work to pay enormous student loans, or have to work to pay theyre parents, or another situations. And as you say, Fundacion Carolina wants to support us, but isnt Fundación Carolina a foreign foundation?, there should be first a mexican foundation who support us, how come a foreign institution supports us 1st than a national?, or the national dont support us in a good way, because there is not a lot info about scholarships, or theyre very few . Anyway I think this change is in us, the ones who have the chance to change little by little the consciousness of the ones who cant because of financial purposes, not to impose , just to encourage people.
Love you Andrea! hope to see you soon!, I canttttt wait for august ( I wanna be in Spain noooow)
This is just an idea that would become a very interesting initiative indeed!
I believe there are not a lot of loans that help developing world students to go and study abroad on their BA, just like Erasmus program in the EU. It would be very interesting to have this type of opportunities not only inside the EU but outside the continent too!!
When you are very good student the opportunities always comes… like Rotary Club or Soroge Foundation ect… In the scholarship system for students from developing countries coming to more developed one is one important issue. Will the student really come back to his/her country to work for its development… One of my post was an interview with Belorusian journalist who got the scholarship in Poland. There were ten of them who got that. And only he returned still full of doubts if he should come to live in Schengen zone….
I read your comments with awe. You guys are so lucky. Citizens of developing countries don’t always get such opportunities. Crossing my fingers.
Thanks for the post Andrea.
That’s right, for students from developing countries there are many scholarships from Rotary Foudnation, and other international foundations.. in addition, maybe Erasmus Munduns covers some of these countries… but what it is important, is the cultural experience, is starting to see things from different perspectives, and I think that for this goal, doesn’t matter where you are, but it is a matter of cultural point of view… so anyone and anywhere could start to see things differently
I share Iris’ opinion. You are so lucky. We, from the developing countries, don’t have so many golden opportunities. But it seems to be changing now, thank god!
Thanks Andrea. A very nice post.
Nice post. I have never studied abroad, although I have worked overseas lots and it has certainly shaped who I am. I’d recommend it to anyone.
Studying abroad is a wonderful way to build cross-cultural dialogue and understanding. Great subject, Andrea! American universities have really made quite a bit of money off of study abroad programs for their students. But many of these universities are starting to provide more mutual exchanges for foreign students to study in the US. However, I definitely do agree that there need to be more opportunities for students in developing countries in particular to study abroad. Nice post.