"Study Away" gives students an excuse to leave home

By Laura Baker
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer

If you are a student who is adventurous, open-minded and would like to view the world from more than just one cultural perspective, then studying abroad is for you. Now with a recently published handy guide, students can identify the security and health risks, the differences between universities that are "American-friendly" from those that aren't and learn how they can live in a foreign country and still manage to afford college.

"Study Away: The Unauthorized Guide to College Abroad" is the first comprehensive guide for American students interested in spending a term, year, or full undergraduate career outside of the United States. Mariah Balaban and Jennifer Shields are the authors, and they explain the many advantages of studying outside the United States. Both Balaban and Shields participated in a study abroad program, thus giving them the influence they needed to create a perfect guide for the students. The book lists many options for locations for students to study: anywhere from Japan, Italy, Thailand and the Czech Republic.

Why study abroad, you ask? Sure, this type of expenditure can get a little pricey, but it is well worth it — take it from someone who just spent a semester in London, England. I was only living there for a semester (three months), but I gained an experience of a lifetime. Agreeing with Balaban and Shields' opinions, I believe that one of the most important aspects of living in another country is the sense of independence it allows you. When you are taken away from everything and everyone who is familiar to you, you learn to grow as an individual. And as the book points out, you gain a'"truly global perspective" and you learn about yourself in the process.

At first, people do inevitably go through the infamous "culture shock," but once you adapt to your surroundings and have enough confidence that you have the ability to make it through the homesick times, your worries will fade away and the excitement of everything will set in. Also, studying abroad looks great on a resume, and future employers definitely take note of a fearless, risk-taking, but also responsible student.

The largest section of the book, which is entitled "Undergraduate Programs," offers in-depth information about many universities around the world. It includes profiles of the 70 best colleges spanning 28 countries with detailed descriptions of the university's campus and location, academics, facilities, housing, campus life and admissions policies. It also gives you a breakdown of the costs: tuition, room and board, financial aid offered, etc. There are many types of programs offered, dependent on how long a student plans on staying.

This book is extremely helpful and I highly recommend any student even slightly interested in studying abroad to pick up this book. It is well worth it. In fact, I wish I had known of this blessing before I got on a plane to a new country; maybe I wouldn't have come back in so much debt with my parents.