Benefits of Education Abroad

Students can take courses that are unique to the program or region. Marine and Conservation Biology students can have first-hand field study experiences studying tropical ecology in the lush cloud rainforest of Costa Rica. Communication students can take courses as well as complete an internship in Paris. Students needing UCOR Module III courses can find courses that address global challenges.

Spanish Major and Minor students can take courses in Spanish-speaking countries and immerse themselves in the local culture. French Major and Minor students have a comparative experience of French in France and Francophone countries in Africa. Students in the College of Arts & Sciences can complete their year of a Modern Language requirement in a country and language of their choice, immersing in the practical application of the language and rich culture of the host country.

In our ever-changing world, there is an emphasis on cultural competency & the ability to interact with people of different cultures. In general, US culture favors individualism and students who go abroad develop their global competency & cultural humility. At Seattle U, there is an emphasis on praxis - experience, self-reflection, and action. As global citizens, being aware of others' cultural identities, as well as how SU students are perceived globally, can inform our future global leaders.

By going abroad and leaving Seattle U, the Pacific Northwest, and the US context, students gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their communities, both in the host country and in the US, as well as their global impact on the world. Students have found new passions or changed their career trajectory after completing a term abroad. Political Science students have interned in the UK Parliament and had a fuller understanding of other political systems and their impact on the global community.

Even the simple act of trying to navigate and orient oneself in a new country activates problem solving skills through real life experiences. Once students enter the work force, they will have the confidence to navigate, and problem solve unpredictable situations that may come their way. Through encountering and adaptiveness, which allow them to more easily meet the needs of future workplaces.

"Skills have become the global currency of the 21st century" -OECD (2016). Employers want employees with "hard" technical skills, but more importantly "soft" skills that make them self-reliant, confident, flexible, and adaptive. An education abroad experience can provide students with a unique opportunity to gain work-related skills in a global context. In our global economy, having employees who can adapt to the companies work culture and its diverse colleagues can boost employment prospects.