Growing up in a Mexican household, I traveled to Mexico multiple times a year. Traveling outside of the country became a norm for me. Because of the way I grew up, I was exposed to various cultures and ways of life, and I consider my travels vital to shaping the person I am becoming. When I started traveling internationally for internships, I didn’t realize the number of people who have never traveled outside of the country, or even their state. In fact, about 42% of Americans have never left the country. This statistic highlights how limited global exposure can be for many students.
Trinity’s vision is to “redefine liberal arts education” and “become a national leader by preparing students to thrive in an interconnected world, strengthening interdisciplinary and experiential education, and integrating academic and residential campus life,” according to its website. In pursuit of this vision, mandating a study abroad experience would give Trinity a competitive advantage in producing highly competitive and globally aware graduates.
Study abroad programs strengthen interdisciplinary education through cultural immersion. While studying abroad, students need to utilize critical thinking skills, but not the kind we are accustomed to. Students have to adapt to social norms and surpass language and cultural barriers. Learning how to adapt to different norms teaches students how to make meaningful connections with diverse backgrounds. In doing so, they develop stronger problem-solving abilities and a broader perspective on global challenges.
Furthermore, studying abroad forces students to go outside of their comfort zone and enhances resilience. Leaving familiar surroundings encourages self-confidence and independence. Students encounter new places, learn new things and find their place within the world. According to an article by Harvard Summer School, students gain more confidence in handling failure and grow more comfortable with increased levels of stress, anxiety and uncertainty when they leave their comfort zone. These skills help them beyond their time at Trinity.
Going abroad aids professional academic growth, as well. Studying abroad can expose students to the different ways that people approach their jobs and collaborate to learn new things about their fields. This exposure can deepen their understanding of their major while offering new perspectives on global issues in their discipline. This is important because, as the global workplace is increasing, employers look for employees that are exposed to different cultures and have experience internationally. Education abroad cultivates many of the skills employers say are missing in today’s candidates. Therefore, Trinity graduates would enter the workforce with a significant advantage.
Academically, studying abroad exposes students to new teaching methods and diverse intellectual perspectives that may not be available in their home institution’s curriculum. Engaging with different educational systems challenges students to think in new ways and boosts cognitive skills, often leading to higher GPAs and increased retention rates. In fact, 41% of employers in the United States offer higher salaries to graduates who have participated in a study abroad experience.
Some may argue that mandating a study abroad policy may be too restrictive. A university should not force its students to leave their friends, family and life that they have created. Being in a new country often means being alone, or lost. That causes anxiety and fear to people, for many enough to not consider studying abroad. Others argue that the only time they can study abroad is during the summer — a more costly option than studying in the fall or spring and, therefore, not viable for many students.
However, if study abroad is mandated, the administration is obligated to work with students to reduce any costs. They must implement a curriculum change for majors who can only study abroad in the summer, or provide more financial assistance for summer abroad programs. If a student does not want to leave their home for extended periods, Trinity can create a shortened abroad program in which students can leave for a month or two rather than a full semester.
Overall, given the mission Trinity seeks to achieve and the graduates it aims to produce, it would make sense to mandate study abroad. It would strengthen the interdisciplinary mission with students better prepared to take on the world compared to other universities. Studying abroad offers a unique and enriching experience that would set Trinity students apart.
