Study Abroad Essay

I was once told in my non-western culture course, Africa, that a cultural perspective can change how a person observe and interpret the world around them. I quickly adopted this lesson and started searching for an opportunity to change my own cultural perspective. So that I would love to have the opportunity to see different cultures up-close and personal for what they truly are. This trip to Nicaragua will finally give me a chance to be immersed into an entirely new culture, and a chance to see the world from a different cultural perspective.  

The purpose of this global program is to study the social and economic factors that influence the health of Central America. During the process of discovering the factors, I will be able to apply the skills and abilities I have acquired from taking courses included in UNI’s Liberal Arts Core and Business core. With the daily interaction I will get from the residents, my current perspective of the country will be broadened; raising my awareness to sensitive international issues, while enhancing my interpersonal and analytical skills. Furthermore, while being overseas in an unfamiliar environment, I will be posed with the challenge of learning in new ways as the higher education systems of other countries differ greatly from those of the United States. Overcoming the challenges of adapting to a new way of thinking, a more well-rounded education will, indeed, better prepare me for the increasingly global world. 

In today’s society, to get an entry level job, most employers require that the applicant have a master’s degree with increasingly competitive college admission panels. This study abroad experience to Nicaragua, undoubtedly, will make my application for a company or graduate school stand out. In the past I have been told by a few graduate school advisors that they believe cross-cultural experience is more valuable than having one more extracurricular activity to state on an application or resume. Also, I have learned that employers value those who embody soft skills (e.g. critical thinking, self-sufficiency, flexibility, and communication), and being able to mingle with a variety of people. Attending this trip to Nicaragua will provide the perfect grounds for improvement of those skills, which will pave me a solid competitive advantage over applicants in the job market and pool for graduate school. 

One of my primary goals to achieve while studying abroad is absorb much of the rich Nicaraguan culture, and make lifetime friendships with the residents as well as my fellow UNI classmates. Building these relationships will foster an environment where we all can be reflective about diverse cultures and become more appreciate of the differences. This very kind of openness will prepare me as a future global leader to be more effective, respectful of other cultures and political and economic systems, and more willing to take a stand for the world’s welfare, not just what benefits a specific country.

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