Studying Abroad Can Be an Expensive Waste of Time -- T/F

Studying Abroad Can Be an Expensive Waste of Time

Asking whether study abroad should be part of every American student's education is a bit like asking whether visiting our nation’s capital or volunteering at a local charity should be part of every student’s education. Perhaps so in an ideal world, and clearly there can be

 

There are costs and trade-offs, and questions of value for the money spent. We cannot lose sight of the forest for the trees, when it comes to discussing what’s best for our students, and how America’s education system needs to change. The question of whether or not every American student should study abroad is an unnecessary distraction.

 

At a time of limited federal, state and local budgets and difficult financial choices, we need to keep in mind that learning success will be driven more by good, accountable teachers and by involved parents than by any study abroad program. Focusing our attention on what is offered in the classroom must take priority over advocating for study abroad programs.

 

Don’t get me wrong, as a former U.S. ambassador and business executive based both in the United States and Asia, I know all too well that American graduates and American businesses are facing an increasingly globalized economy. This means dealing at times with different people, new ideas and unfamiliar languages. But studying abroad is not essential to a good education or to helping one better understand the changing world we live in. Studying abroad can be a nice “add on” in theory, but it also can be a waste of time, or simply a good time, for an unfocused – and privileged – high school or university student. With all the challenges our students face, we should focus on improving the U.S. education system for all instead of widening a gap between those with the means to study abroad and those without.

 

And let's not fool ourselves into arguing that study abroad in and of itself is essential to success. Certainly, it can be much easier to learn a foreign language and culture by being immersed in it. But the value of the experience comes down to motivation, attitude and a given program’s quality. I often meet Americans abroad who insist on searching out the nearest McDonald's or Starbucks, and who may well experience little of the culture or learn little of a foreign language while overseas. One can go abroad with a poorly conceived program and learn nothing. And even the best programs will do little for an unmotivated student.

At a Connecticut university, a business school student once asked me, “Which language should I study?” My answer: English. Given a changing America, and a changing global economy, my response was a bit of a surprise. But the truth is, I would rather that American students, including those with English as their first and only language, mastered English, including how to write a résumé and a business letter and give a presentation.

 

At the end of the day, education is about instilling knowledge, increasing opportunities and opening the eyes of our young people, and that can be done without fancy and expensive study abroad programs.

 

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Please answer in the following format -->Ture/False-Evidence

Ex. True-what is ........ 

 

 

Q1

The writer assumes that advocating for study abroad programs must take priority over any other aspects of education.

 

Answer:

 

 

Q2

Studying abroad is important to a high-quality education or to aiding one better understand the changing world.

 

Answer:

 

 

Q3 

American students should learn English although it is their first and only language.

 

Answer:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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