| Penn State, University of Notre Dame, | | | | Central America and South America. Stops this |
| University of Kentucky and Pacific Lutheran | | | | summer will include Chile, Peru, Costa Rica |
| University participated in a recent study, | | | | and Nicaragua. Financial aid is available to |
| which shows employers find value in Study | | | | help students cover the $8000+ cost of the |
| Abroad when evaluating job search candidates. | | | | just over 2 month journey onboard the |
| "In general, Study Abroad was looked upon | | | | floating university. The Fall 2007 trip is |
| favorably," said Robert Domingo, a research | | | | scheduled for stops in Japan, Thailand, China |
| associate at Penn State in an interview with | | | | and India while Puerto Rico, Brazil, South |
| The Daily Collegian. In the same survey, to | | | | Africa and Mauritius are on tap for the |
| which 352 employers responded, having the | | | | Spring 2008 journey. |
| preferred academic major was ranked most | | | | |
| desirable by employers and completing a major | | | | No study abroad program is without risk and |
| or minor in a foreign language was ranked | | | | students and parents should do all the |
| second. Study abroad was ranked third. | | | | required due diligence to make sure these |
| | | | experiences do not end with less than |
| In a more recent study of 119 employers | | | | positive results. Some general advice to be |
| conducted by the Career Center at University | | | | safe on a study abroad experience are as |
| of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 59% of | | | | follows and include some tips from the |
| respondents said that Study Abroad or other | | | | University of Chicago's Study Abroad program: |
| international experience, other than an | | | | |
| internship, would be very valuable or | | | | 1. Be alert at all times. Remember you are in |
| somewhat valuable in an individual's career | | | | unfamiliar surroundings |
| later on with their organization. | | | | |
| | | | 2. Trust your instincts |
| Study Abroad programs are becoming | | | | |
| increasingly attractive as more and more | | | | 3. Be cautious and protective with your cash |
| college students seek meaningful ways to | | | | |
| spend college breaks or explore true | | | | 4. Observe political gatherings from a |
| diversity of cultures. Additionally, as | | | | distance |
| students return and share their positive | | | | |
| experiences, others sign up to head overseas | | | | 5. Learn where the nearest police station, |
| as well. | | | | hospital and embassy is located. |
| | | | |
| Two great resources for students considering | | | | 6. Stay sober and away from drugs. This is |
| studying overseas are and Semester at Sea. | | | | not the time to lose focus |
| | | | |
| is a comprehensive online source of | | | | 7. Be particularly alert while on public |
| information about educational opportunities | | | | transportation |
| for high school students, college students or | | | | |
| graduate students wanting to study in other | | | | 8. Be mindful of new friendships that develop |
| countries. It includes information on summer | | | | too quickly |
| programs, internships, service learning | | | | |
| programs and overseas volunteer | | | | 9. Make copies of all your important papers. |
| opportunities. The information is easy to | | | | Keep a set of copies with you as well as |
| follow and is sorted by subject, country or | | | | leave one at home. |
| city. | | | | |
| | | | 10. Be inconspicuous and try to blend in as |
| Semester at Sea, run by the Institute for | | | | much as possible. Avoid being the noisy |
| Shipboard Education, gets academic | | | | tourist. |
| sponsorship from the University of Virginia | | | | |
| where students can apply for credit for the | | | | 11. Check in often with home. Have somewhat |
| 2007 summer trip. This 3-month trip will have | | | | of a routine so that folks at home will know |
| students traversing the Western coast of | | | | if you are off schedule. |