- According to an article in National Geographic magazine, 29,004 high school students from abroad studied in the United States for a semester or an entire school year in 2007-2008. In that same year, only 2,255 U.S. teens ventured into international education overseas.
- The Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) is the go-to organization for those programs. It is a nonprofit committed to "meaningful and safe international exchange experiences, and to promote the importance and educational value of international youth exchange." Rotary International Youth Exchange is among the recommended programs, along with organizations such as the Academic & Cultural Exchange (ACE), American Field Service (AFS) and International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES).
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Maturity, practical independence, self-confidence and greater self-awareness, and improved skills for building better relationships with others are just a few personal benefits young people gain from international educational experiences.
On a practical level, they become fluent in other languages, better understand other cultures and have a greater appreciation of their own, are able to better determine their career choices and begin building resumes well before college.
Another very real practical benefit is the fact that colleges and universities place a high value on applicants who have had international education experiences, which opens admissions options to the most respected institutions. Once students do go to college, they are more committed than most of their peers, and the demand among many professions for foreign language skills and experience in cross-culture awareness opens doors for more career options. -
Some characteristics of teens ideally suited for high school-level programs for international study abroad include the following:
Average to above-average students with a strong sense of the value of education
Strong individuals who are leaders among classmates and friends
Eager to try new things, go new places, meet and get to know people different from themselves
Interested in the world beyond the borders of the United States
Aware of international current events, know geography and would like to have a chance to improve or learn new language skills - Studying abroad is not for every high school teen, but most colleges and universities offer opportunities for their students, and the personal and practical benefits of international education programs still apply for college-age students. The University of Wisconsin International Education Program states that "To engage fully with the globalized world of the 21st century, future graduates (of UW-L) must possess multicultural and global perspectives gained through intellectual and social exchange with people of diverse backgrounds. One of the most effective ways to develop such perspectives is to experience living, learning and working in another country or culture."
