Take a Clue from NYU!

One of the best ways to gain a new perspective on our world is to travel. Too often we are sucked into our own small communities and forget what exists beyond. As a recent college graduate studying abroad was an easy and accessible way for me to experience other cultures. It opened my eyes and left me with a serious travel bug!! Recent trends show I am not the only one, both students and universities are being, infected with the travel bug. An article on examiner.com (http://www.examiner.com/Topic-By_Dena_Levitz.html) sited several universities who now have half of their student population study abroad during their college careers. Kids are not the only ones going abroad but universities are too. The New York Times highlighted the up and coming trend of US Universities expanding abroad. The article written by TAMAR LEWIN points out that as our world becomes increasing globalized we need to prepare the new generations. NYU is one of the front runners in the expansion. Most recently NYU set up an agreement to start a branch in Abu Dhabi. Why would Univesrities want to expand? There are many positive reasons for setting up branches abroad. The benefit to the future of forgein relations between countries is advanced when young students from different countries are allowed to mingle in the same class room. Exposure to differen cultures and the exchange of ideas opens minds. Hopefully relationships built during school hours led to fun times outside of class with new friends. I know that my study abroad experience gave me a new appreciation for other cultures. We can only benefit from the exchange of information. If you have the chance, please, study abroad it is an experience you will not regret. The time you spend in the class room leads to laughter outside with new people from places you wouldn't imagine! And if you are past your school years look into taking a trip abroad. Hopefully it will broaden you world just a little bit. So please, if you take a clue from anywhere take one from NYU. They are starting to expand more than just their thoughts abroad. So should we!