Women
more geared to study abroad than men
By Erika Jones
Online Forty-Niner
Chief Photographer
More female students than male are studying abroad according to Ine Williams,
Study Abroad Services adviser at the Center for International Education at Cal
State Long Beach.
The number of applicants varies from year to year. However, the typical range
is between 60 to 80 students a year, of which the majority are female applicants.
According to Cecilia Fidora, assistant director at the Center for International
Education, the ratio of female and male students studying abroad at CSULB is “60-40
or maybe even 70-30.” This is a universal trend across the nation, not
just at CSULB.
The need for independence can be a factor for more women studying abroad according
to Williams.
“
Perhaps this is a step to become more independent, to stand out from other
people, to have a uniqueness about you,” Williams said. “This is
one of the easiest ways to do something new.”
Another reason there are more women traveling abroad than men could be attributed
to how women are more sociable and relationship-oriented than men.
“
Women tend to be more into building relationships, and what a better way than
to [go abroad,] make new friendships and maintain it,” Williams said.
According to Fidora, female students value the experience of studying abroad.
“
I think guys are more linear-thinking to reach that goal of graduation without
delay, while women’s field of vision is wider” Fidora said.
“[Women]
can juggle more things and look at the
whole picture. They see the value of
the side experience.”
On the other hand, the high ratio of female students in certain majors can
also be a factor for more female students studying abroad. According to Williams,
students studying abroad come from a broad range of majors such as English
literature, history, communications, political science, business, international
studies and art.
In the 2006-07 academic year, 90 students applied to study abroad at CSULB.
There were 20 male and 50 female students. When sorting applicants by their
academic colleges, 64 percent of the students are from the liberal arts department,
18 percent are from the art department and 7 percent are from the business
administration department.
The remaining students come from various departments such as the natural science
and mathematics department, College of Education, College of Health and Human
Services and College of Engineering.
Fidora observes that although both male and female students studying abroad
go to gain an edge in the job market, their reasons for studying abroad can
also be different for female and male students. According to Fidora, many female
students are interested in learning a foreign language and culture, while most
male students just want to gain an edge in the job market.
“ [Women] always want to polish their fluency, they want to become bilingual,” Fidora
said. “I think guys know that it looks good on their resume.”
Fidora also notices a difference in popular destinations for male and female
students. The top five destinations for female students at any college is Europe,
with Italy being the most popular, then Spain, France, England and Australia.
For male students, the most popular destination is England and Australia.
The exception is with Hispanic male students, whose most popular destination
is Spain. According to Fidora, the difference is “because [women] have
the language skills in French, Spanish or Italian.”
Angelica Normen, a junior psychology major at CSULB is excited about applying
to London.
“
I’ve always been interested in living in another place besides California,
I just want to get away from Orange County,” Normen said. “I
went to Europe two summers ago and I fell in love with it, so I want to go
back.”
Andrew Hua, a sophomore communications major, is also excited about applying
to Japan.
“
I went to Japan my senior year in high school and I always wanted to go back,” Hua
said. |
