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