Academic Excellence Scholarship - 1st Place & Fellowship

Question: How might you and your study abroad experience contribute to the United States’ competitive edge academically, politically or socially with the rest of the world?

A study abroad experience in Granada, Spain, is a lifetime’s defining moment. The world is increasingly becoming a global economy. International businesses and countries work together and it is paramount that tomorrow’s leaders learn more about their international community today - preparing themselves to be global citizens of tomorrow.

From a physics and chemistry perspective, it is clear that every transaction will soon be collaborated on a global scale: academic research, business development, manufacturing and distribution, environmental policy, and social networks. Research is no longer completed by one university or in one location. Collaborations are formed internationally; experiments span across continents, and require the cooperation of multiple governments. In this environment, having experienced living abroad produces an astronomical competitive edge. The most obvious selling point is being able to speak multiple languages; it allows for more clear communication between collaboration parties and shows that an effort has been made to meet people of diverse lingual backgrounds halfway - rather than expect them to know English. Yet still, in addition to this huge advantage there are equal, but more subtle, bonuses. A study abroad event shows willingness to try new adventures and to learn and excel in different environments. Students will leave college ready to adapt to the workplace full of new friends, surroundings, and cultures. A study abroad excursion allows one to practice firsthand what is it like in a new environment. It forces its applicants to learn quickly and directly apply their new hand knowledge. It is not only the book skills but the interaction skills that graduate schools and businesses are looking for.

On a political scale, a study abroad is a necessity. By studying abroad Americans are given the opportunity to properly showcase themselves to the world. Stereotypes can be directly confronted in both parties, and upon return to the States the greater understanding can be shared with others creating a cascading effect. The trip to another country helps the United States politically because its voting citizens will be better informed and more capable of seeing issues on a larger scale.

In a social respect, studying abroad opens the doors to millions of new faces. By studying abroad one can change their friend base from one city into a global community. Students abroad not only get the opportunity to network in another country but all over the globe with students from other countries studying abroad; relationships can be established that will last a lifetime. Furthermore, the comprehension of another language gives one the opportunity to reach out to people on a more personal level.

Even in the sciences, a study abroad voyage sets one exorbitantly apart from their competitors. Such an adventure allows one to understand cultures at more than a textbook level, communicate more effectively to a larger audience, and broaden their opportunities. To have a competitive edge, studying abroad is a necessity.

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