As more and more students go to college, there has been a movement toward spending more and more time abroad once a student has graduated. With increasing globalization, it is becoming increasingly important for Americans to immerse themselves in other cultures in order to gain a greater understanding of the world around them. If colleges do require one semester of study abroad, they would encourage an increase in global citizenship in students

However, there are several drawbacks to requiring a semester abroad. The most obvious is the financial burden, which deters many students from pursuing this opportunity. Many colleges, including public schools, are available only through some form of financial aid. Even if a student meets the minimum GPA requirements for financial aid, they still usually have to meet additional criteria such as having a certain amount of financial need or demonstrated financial need. If a semester abroad requires parents to pay for their students’ airfare and living expenses, the cost can be prohibitive. Adding yet another semester to the already full load of classes can strain a family’s finances, especially if it is the father who is supporting the entire family. Another expense is the extra time it takes for students to complete additional coursework. While a semester abroad is certainly intensive, some students may feel compelled to take additional courses in order to graduate on time. These courses may require extra time for studying and completing assignments, which may result in less time available for other activities. Finally, accepting the recommendation may discourage students from studying abroad if they are not required to do so. Students who are undecided about their major may be hesitant to study abroad if they believe that they may not receive credit for the experience. For instance, most engineering students believe that the only way to obtain a degree is to attend a four-year university and major in engineering. As a result, they hesitate to take a semester off in order to study abroad

The argument that studying abroad should be required for students to attend college is weakened, however, by a few advantages. First, if students are required to study abroad, they will gain a broader view of the world. Many students are accustomed to their small hometowns, and they may view the world through only their limited experience. Studying abroad gives them the opportunity to see a culture, religion, or political system from a different perspective. This experience is bound to expand their worldview and increase their understanding. Furthermore, studying abroad provides students with the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures. While Americans are more accustomed to interacting with one another because of shared backgrounds and beliefs, students who study abroad will have an opportunity to interact with people from different cultures. They may be able to share their perspectives with other cultures, which will broaden their outlooks, or they may be able to understand the perspectives that others hold. While the students do not necessarily learn the language, they will inevitably interact with locals, which will allow them to develop another perspective

Finally, students may gain skills that will be useful later in life. Rather than focusing on the material presented in school, students who study abroad will focus more on language, culture, and interacting with locals. This experience will certainly enhance their communication skills, and studying a foreign language will make it easier for them to communicate with others in the future. Students may also develop a greater appreciation for other cultures. They may develop a greater understanding of how other people live, which will give them a greater understanding of how their own society functions. This increased understanding may help them to make better-informed decisions as adults

I agree with the argument that colleges should require at least one semester of study abroad. While there are some drawbacks to requiring a semester abroad, there are several advantages. It encourages students to broaden their worldviews, interact with other cultures, and develop skills that will benefit them later in life. Furthermore, while a semester abroad may not be feasible for many students, additional study abroad opportunities are often available through programs like study abroad scholarships, which are funded by private organizations.