Persuasive Essay Study Abroad

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Introduction I. This year a study conducted by UC Merced discovered that 97% of study abroad students found employment within 12 months of graduation, when only 49% of college graduates found employment in the same period. (UC Merced, 2016) II. If this shocking statistic doesn’t convince you already, according to the same study, 25% of study abroad students earned higher starting salaries at their first job as well. III. Students should study abroad due to its many benefits including personal growth, intercultural development, and education attainment. IV. The shift in global power has increased the importance for students to understand the world outside the United States and North America in order to be informed. Study abroad opportunities …show more content…

It is no secret that in recent years, the United States education system has been drastically compared to other leading countries such as China, Russia, and Europe. According to the USA Study Abroad program through the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State, studying abroad gives you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the 21st century. (“Why Study Abroad?”, USA Study Abroad, 2016) A. Study abroad opportunities have increased intercultural development in multiple ways such as; global mindedness, intercultural communication, and openness to diversity. In today’s workplace, global mindedness is critical to the success of international business. 1. Global mindedness refers to the personal awareness and respect for other cultural perspectives and norms. Something that is only developed by exposure to multicultural environments and increased international awareness, which are key components of all study abroad programs. B. Students gain the ability to adapt in unfamiliar situations crossing linguistic boarders and effectively communicating across cultures. C. One argument against the idea of study abroad is the language barrier one experiences while studying in a foreign country without knowledge of the …show more content…

America only seen through a television screen is very different than America experienced in person. An educational or cultural exchange program to the U.S. can help you better understand yourself and the world around you. (Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Exchange Programs) B. “In this ever-changing world it is important to have the ability to adapt – an ability that studying abroad can give your student. Students often return home ready to change the world, which is important, as they will be the future leaders of this country.” (University of Arkansas) 1. According to the the Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, they also observed that students who have studied abroad will have a leg up in the job market when they interview for their first jobs following graduation as a result of their personal growth. C. Despite the many benefits studying abroad reaps, many parents and students believe that the cost is too, or studying abroad is considered a “glorified vacation”, however this simply isn’t true. 1. A professor at University of British Colombia once compared studying abroad to investing, saying it was just as risky. (UBC, Xu Hang) 2. However many statistics about employment and education post studying abroad easily disprove

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