Tell me...did you know...?

After researching the statistics for studying abroad, the numbers are very interesting. Take a look at what has been happening over the years.

QUESTION: Did you know…?


· Number of Americans studying abroad increased by 8% in academic 06/07 year

· Growth in Americans receiving academic credits increase close to 150%

· American students are more frequently choosing non-traditional study abroad locations

· Increase of study abroad locations relates to increase in range of study abroad locations

· New York University remains leading sending institution sending 3,034 students

· 40 campuses awarded credits to more than 1,000 students

· Top three fields of study of American study abroad students are Social Sciences, Business and Management, and Humanities

· National total of study abroad participation by state is 1.36%

· Europe hosts the largest share of U.S. students that study abroad (57%)

· In 2003/04, around 191,000 students studied abroad compared to the 76,000 ten years ago.

Sources

Open Doors Online
http://opendoors.iienetwork.org/

NAFSA
http://www.nafsa.org

Americans Studying Abroad
http://opendoors.iienetwork.org/?p=50138

Vistawide
http://www.vistawide.com/studyabroad/study_abroad_statistics.htm

Quote:
“This increase remains a strong indicator of the tremendous interest in study abroad, both in spite of and in response to the changing geopolitical climate following 9/11.”

Source: Americans Studying Abroad http://opendoors.iienetwork.org/?p=50138

Take a look...

As many students may have noticed, I started passing out my surveys that I had conducted for my intern and graduation project. The results are very interesting and it finally allowed me to start getting back some of the information that I will need later on. I now plan on conducting a way to organize my results so the people at my intern can evaluate them and create some generalizations. These surveys will be a huge contribution to my results and I encourage anyone who hasn’t gotten one of my surveys to please get one from me.

Here is the essential question that I have come up with for my topic of study abroad outreach to high school students following the foundation questions.

Essential Question: How do high school students become informed about the benefits that are associated with Studying Abroad?

Foundation Questions:

1. What are common high school activities?
2. Why is study abroad promotion so low?
3. Is Globalization taught in high schools?
4. What are commonly visited study abroad locations?
5. What are the most frequently asked questions about study abroad from high school students?
6. What type of media promote study abroad to student s (books, movies, TV, etc)
7. What are common stereotypes about study abroad?
8. Is learning another language forced in high school curriculum?
9. What colleges already outreach to high school students?
10. What study abroad promotion strategies already exist in which are targeted at high school students?
11. What are the positive and negative reviews that students who’ve studied abroad have about their experiences?
12. What do students who are in college wish they would have known about study abroad when they were in high school?

Moving Forward

I finished and uploaded my topic question and 10 websites a while ago. I started on foundation questions and brainstormed a few key terms. It was hard to figure out foundation questions that would relate to the essential question I have made for myself. I read through some of my websites and it kind of gave me an idea of what questions I need to ask and what key terms I need. My key terms may seem like they don't relate, but the benefits from study abroad in the long run strongly relate to the key terms and sort of quietly support the essential question.

In addition to making my foundation questions, I tried to create questions that I had a good chance of finding the answer to. Because I am going to be using a lot of people as my informational sources I knew that the Internet may not have as relevant results to my topics as I would need it to. I placed other sources such as the Internet but also the library and personal interviews with different authorities as sources where I am going to find the answers to my foundation questions. So far, everything seems to be moving forward.

Finally Getting Somewhere

After wondering and constantly thinking about what my project was going to be about, I finally found a good idea that I could create a project around. I chose to base my project on my internship at the University of Pittsburgh Study Abroad office. My part in their office is to help them develop an outreach to high school students. I figured; why not involve my intern in my graduation project? Once the thought ran through my head, ideas about what I could do with it just came flowing in different directions but I didn’t know which one was best for me.

I tried to put myself in the mindset of an average teenager and then the picture became clearer. Just telling students about study abroad isn’t going to leave much of an impression, however, showing them and presenting bits and pieces of the real thing may make a difference.

I told my mentors about my project and the road that I chose to take and they were excited about it, probably more than I was. I am very excited that they are going to help me with my research and assisting me in putting my project into motion. The materials the study abroad office has are endless and I can’t wait to put them to good use.

Even after having somewhat of a plan to get some ground work done, my mentor told me that it was going to take more than a few months to reach the goals they have set for themselves. The bigger question is, even if I do make an impression with my project, how do they use this information and replicate it for all the other high schools? It is a goal that is probably going to take a few years to reach but I am glad that I have become a small part in something that will become huge with time.

Initial Topic Ideas

The different news that I have heard about the graduation project at City High is that it is extremely important in terms of graduation. I know that it is a project that is conducted by the student and is surrounded by the student’s interests and motivation. I also heard that there is a panel that every student must present their project to when the final project is finally completed. I do know a few students who have completed their graduation projects. Though I don’t really know what their projects were about or how they felt when they presented them, I do remember that they told me they were very nervous when they were presenting, even after practicing their presentation numerous times.
When thinking about what I would structure my project around, I am completely lost. I have idea which direction I am going to take or even what interest of mine that I am truly passionate about. I do know that I want to find something that I can continue to do beyond my graduation project. I want to be able to stay involved in the work I do and see how far it can take me and how many ripples it can make to other people.
Some concerns I have about my project are first finding a topic. I am the worst person in making decisions and seeing that I don’t have forever to complete this project, I worry that I may take too long to figure out what I really want to do with this graduation project. Other concerns that I have are the actual points I would be making to the panel I am going to be presenting to next year. The main idea here is what the big deal is and why should anyone care about what I am trying to do with this project and I hope that I maintain my motivation and confidence and don’t become discouraged along the way by fear.