Learning a foreign language is usually a requirement of most high school curriculums and introduces to students the ability to pick up a new language while also learning about the country it comes from. With the exciting opportunity for a study abroad program, students are able to travel to a foreign country in order to learn the language as well as understand the culture and historical significance to a deeper level. Often staying with host families, students are able to learn everyday customs and become fully immersed in the language itself. Here are just a few benefits that may arise out of taking advantage of a study abroad program.
The main reason why many high school students decide to study abroad is to better learn the foreign language of choice. Students taking a German class, for example, may decide to find a host family in Germany to continue their studies. Study abroad programs showcase the incredible experience of the student being fully immersed in both language and culture. Having to speak a foreign language daily greatly increases comprehension and ability, allowing the student to easily have day-to-day conversations in a foreign language. The immersion in culture, likewise, allows the student to fully understand the history and way of life of those in a foreign country. Students who have traveled to Japan, for instance, can appreciate in totality the deep appreciation their people have regarding ancestral wisdom and tradition.
Traveling abroad to continue studies also goes beyond simply learning the language and culture. Bonds can be made with host families and acquaintances met along the way, bringing into the student's life connections that will be cherished for years to come. Once the student returns home, these bonds can be maintained by regular correspondence that will keep everyone updated on new life events. Studying abroad also allows the student to garner a sense of adventure in exploring a new country and what it has to offer. Simply navigating the logistics of overseas travel on its own is an excellent tool to carry through life and will certainly come in handy for future trips abroad.
Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity for any student who hopes to not only excel at speaking a foreign language but also to learn as much as possible regarding the culture. Using conversational speech in everyday life, students will become fluent at a far faster rate. Becoming immersed in local culture will also be extremely educational as students understand what composes their new surroundings in both history and tradition. Cherished memories and connections will also be brought back home as time spent studying abroad will surely become a lifelong gift of which the rewards will continue to give back.
Check out a resource like A+ World Academy to learn more about study abroad programs.
