When most people look into studying abroad, they tend to look in the same places. The majority of students who study abroad choose European destinations like England, Spain, France and Italy, while a small minority venture to Africa, Asia and Latin America, experts say.
But the State University of New York system offers almost 500 programs, and the variety of options — from archaeological digs in Turkey to biological research in Tanzania — provide students with the opportunity to experience something less traditional.
According to Binghamton University’s Study Abroad Coordinator Giselda Beaudin, unique destinations may offer courses or experiences not possible at home.
It’s also a great way to learn a new language, according to a pamphlet called “SUNY Study Abroad Off the Beaten Track,” because without a high density of tourist traffic people will actually speak the local language.
Another advantage is cost. Unusual destinations are cheaper a lot of the time, Beaudin said.
A pamphlet on SUNY study abroad programs stated that some programs in uncommon destinations cost less than a semester at home. However, the pamphlet does not recommend non-SUNY programs because they are not covered by financial aid.
Kristyn Mohr, a junior at BU pursuing a double major in linguistics and Arabic, studied at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, during the summer from May 29 to July 27.
“It was an intensive Arabic language program with classes five days a week, five hours a day,” Mohr said. “The summer 2008 program had 90 students enrolled, including four from Binghamton. All classes were taught by Moroccan professors and included both language and cultural components.”
Studying abroad was an invaluable way to develop her language skills, according to Mohr.
“There is more to learning a language than the grammar and vocabulary that you learn in the classroom,” she said. “Language cannot be fully understood without also understanding the culture from which that language comes.”
Though some students may be hesitant because of the notion that one must be proficient in a foreign language to go to an uncommon location, Beaudin said this “isn’t true anymore.”
A surprising number of programs integrate coursework in English, she said, including locations such as Vietnam, Dubai, Istanbul, Singapore and Thailand.
“Asian universities are nice because they integrate programs in English,” Beaudin said. Now more students are going to Asia, as there is a lot more interest in programs targeting business.
There are also many options for students studying French or Spanish culture, apart from France and Spain. The pamphlet lists destinations from Morocco to Ecuador.
There also professional benefits to participating in a unconventional program.
“The more unusual, the better for jobs. Most companies want to see some serious cross-cultural experience,” Beaudin said.
Mohr’s trip enabled her to immerse herself in Arabic culture, she said.
“Through spending time in town and traveling to surrounding cities,” she said, “I was also able to gain a unique insight into the attitudes and opinions of college-aged Moroccans through my roommate and other Moroccan students enrolled in summer session courses.”
In addition to language classes and culture lectures, the program organized weekend trips to the Sahara Desert and one to Marrakesh, as well as excursions to the surrounding cities of Fes, Azrou and Zawiya, Mohr said. In Zawiya, the class had a traditional lunchtime meal at the home of a Moroccan family.
There are also programs that enable students to experience multiple cultures at once. The Three Cities Program, through SUNY Brockport in China, takes students to universities in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
“Students should find their comfort level,” Beaudin said.