Studying Aboard Is Better Essay Example

Studying Aboard Is Better Essay It’s one thing to see a photo of Machu Picchu, or to read a travel memoir about the bustling streets of Mumbai. Visiting foreign lands in person, however, is an entirely different experience. When you study abroad, you participate in the day-to-day life of a new locale, gaining a first-hand understanding and new appreciation of the culture. 2. Improve Your Second Language Skills You may already be fluent in a second language, or you might study abroad in one of the many countries where English is spoken as a first language.However, studying abroad can provide you with a perfect opportunity to learn a new foreign language. Being surrounded by native speakers affords you the chance to immerse yourself in the language, which can expedite your retention and fluency. Furthermore, if you travel to a country in which the primary language is one you’ve studied in school, you can add to your vocabulary colloquial words and phrases that may not appear in the textbooks. 3. Explore Your Own Heritage Students whose familial heritage stems from abroad will often choose to explore their ethnicity and ancestry.In fact, reports show that minority students benefit both personally and academically when they have studied abroad in the country of their family’s origin. 4. Pursue an Activity You Wouldn’t at Home Studying abroad is a chance for you to be adventurous, explore the unknown, and try your hand at activities that may not be offered in your home state. We will write a custom essay sample on Studying Aboard Is Better specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Studying Aboard Is Better specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Studying Aboard Is Better specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer For example, if you’re studying abroad in Argentina, you can try numerous adventure sports, from zip-lining, to rafting, to mountain biking. If you enjoy heights, you can try paragliding.No matter what you choose, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience 5. Learn How to Communicate Across Cultures In today’s increasingly global society, it’s important to possess the skills to communicate across cultures – and this means understanding more than just a different language. Studying abroad helps you become familiar with the customs and traditions of the country in which you are studying, in addition to the language. By interacting with locals, you can develop an appreciation for the culture and its differences from your own. 6.Become More Independent Studying abroad removes you from the normal support network that you are accustomed to back home. While on the one hand, being away from friends and family can seem daunting, it is also a chance for you to hone your own skills and gain some independence. Whether it’s washing your laundry or buying groceries, you will learn to take responsibility for your actions. When you return home, your increased independence will be very useful – it can help you in your job search, at home, or in your day-to-day routines. Manage Your Own Finances 7.One major aspect of being an independent adult is having the ability to manage your own finances. Regardless of whether your study abroad program is financed by a scholarship, grant, or another source of income, chances are that it will be your responsibility to pay the bills. Furthermore, living in a new country also forces you to learn to understand a new form of currency, and familiarize yourself with the various living expenses. Understanding how to manage your expenses will especially be beneficial when you no longer rely on the support of your family. 8. Increase Your Employment ProspectsEmployers value prospective candidates with international experience, foreign language skills, and the ability to communicate across cultures. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in international relations, diplomacy, or government, these skills will be especially useful. Use your experience studying abroad to expand your set of abilities, and make these a determining factor that will separate you from the others in a pool of applicants. 9. Form New and Rewarding Relationships Without your regular support group of friends and family, you will be confronted with new situations on a daily basis.However, studying abroad offers you the chance to meet new people and form friendships that may last a lifetime. Whether you’re living with a host family or in a student residence, make an effort to form relationships with those around you. Not only will you have someone around to console you when you are feeling homesick, but you will also get to know people that you can have fun with. Recreation is an important part of the studying abroad experience, and you will likely enjoy sharing your experiences much more than spending your time alone. 10. Network for Your FutureIn addition to making friends, you can also form professional contacts while abroad. Generally speaking, course loads tend to be comparatively lighter while studying abroad, so this can be an ideal occasion to intern, work part-time, or volunteer while you’re studying. Consult your college or university to see whether they help you find internships or work placements abroad. Sometimes, you can even get credit from your home institution. When you’re finished working abroad, be sure to ask for a recommendation letter to testify that you worked abroad, and to share with future prospective employers.As a student, you are likely young and fairly unattached. When weighing the costs against the benefits, consider whether you’ll have a similar opportunity to travel abroad in the future. Chances are that now is the ideal time to go. However, in spite of the many reasons to consider studying abroad, keep in mind the possible challenges and expenses, and carefully weigh your options before making a final decision. Furthermore, consult your advisors and professors, as well as friends and family, for advice – especially if they have participated in a similar program before. 11. Gain new perspective on the world.SIT Study Abroad programs take students through a cultural and academic experience from the inside out. Students explore issues related to globalization, development, poverty, and social inequity from many different perspectives. When they return to the US, students almost always see things differently: They can put themselves in someone else’s shoes more easily and have a more nuanced understanding of the world. 12. Increase language skills. Programs typically offer language study at the intermediate and advanced levels and/or beginning instruction in a less commonly taught language spoken by the local community.Courses incorporate formal classroom instruction, discussion, and field exercises designed to enhance student engagement while improving oral and written competence. Select programs are taught all or in part in the target language. By using language skills in daily life, students on our programs discover that they not only can survive but flourish in another country. Note: No formal language instruction is offered for credit on IHP/Comparative programs. 13. Learn research methods and ethics. Students learn appropriate methodologies that prepare them to undertake fieldwork on topics connected to the program theme.Students develop research skills and approaches including: cross-cultural adaptation and skills building; project selection and refinement; contact and resource cultivation; observation and interviewing s kills; gathering, organizing, and presenting findings; and maintaining a field journal. Students also examine the ethics and impact of their research on local communities and are required to follow the World Learning/SIT Human Subjects Review Policy, which serves as an approval process and guide for ethical field study practices. 14. Improve, learn, and refine decision-making and problem-solving skills.Students studying abroad find themselves in new situations all the time. When students maneuver through uncharted territory and convey their needs and thoughts using new language and intercultural skills, they gain confidence. These skills are transferable to other aspects of life, both personal and professional. 15. Test your interests. While studying abroad, especially on a field-based program like SIT, students can often take their interests in a more specific, applied direction. For example, they can try field research or clinical work and/or interact with professionals working in fields of interest to them. 6. Make new contacts and form lasting connections. Between academic directors, in-country lecturers, and program staff; other SIT students; homestay families; and program contributors, students form a large network of people during their study abroad experience. Some students may call upon their in-country professional contacts soon after the program’s conclusion, perhaps in pursuit of a Fulbright or Watson scholarship; others stay in touch with homestay families for decades; still others form lifelong friendships with their SIT peers. These relationships can be deeply enriching.

Human intelligence Essay Example

Human intelligence Essay Example Human intelligence Essay Human intelligence Essay Essay Topic: Left To Tell Cosmides (1989) has shown how human intelligence is specially adapted to deal with social problem solving. Grooming is an effective mechanism, because primates such as chimpanzees spend far more time than is necessary for purely hygienic purposes in picking through each other fur and removing bits of plant material, insects and scabs. It has therefore been suggested that grooming serves social ends such as strengthening alliances between individuals and bringing about reconciliation after a dispute. The hypothesis goes beyond grooming to see what other ways, which can help the individual benefit from group living. One of these ways is Theory of Mind, which is the ability to be self-aware and to appreciate others have self-awareness too. These can make heavy demands on cognitive skills because they have to recognize a number of other individuals, to remember who has given favours to whom, who has alliances with whom and most importantly how it would appear from someone elses perspective. The theory would predict that there is a strong association between the time spent grooming, possession of theory of mind and intelligence. There are however difficulties with testing these ideas, which are how an animals intelligence would be measured. In human intelligence it is difficult to measure because of the controversy of whether it is possible to construct a way of measuring intelligence, which is culture fair (i.e. not biased towards a particular culture). According the Ridley (1993) the evolution of human intelligence was the result of sexual competition between individuals of the same sex. The fact that the brain has tripled in size in three million years is very fast in evolutionary terms. One force that can bring such rapid change is sexual selection. Miller (2000) suggests that a similar process of which has left the peacock with a long tail has also shaped human brains. It has been proposed that humans will have considered cognitive abilities as well as other adaptive criteria such as health and fitness. Females chose males who were amusing, inventive and creative brains, and this shows that art, music and literature function as a courtship display. Female brain size has increased in order to decode and appreciate the males new abilities. Support for the sexiness of intelligence comes from research investigating what characteristics people seek in a partner and it was found that intelligence came consistently at the top of the list. In the EEA meat was an important source of saturated fat. Stanford believes that strategic sharing of meat paved the way for human intelligence, as it will have forged alliances, persuaded females to mate (i.e. meat for sex hypothesis). Strategic meat sharing requires considerable cognitive abilities because males would have to keep a running score of debts, credits and relationships. Evidence from the animal kingdom supports the meat for sex hypothesis, because male chimps use meat to entice females, often withholding it until mating and when begging for meat receptive females have more success than non-receptive. Evidence also comes from human societies, in terms of the Ache in Paraguay. Mitani and Watts (2001)showed that male chimps share with each other more than females due to alliances rather than sex. It can be concluded that intelligence is a key component in the adaptability of a species. Three main theories have been proposed for the evolution of intelligence, which are, ecological, social and sexual selection. At this time the social theory provides the more plausible explanation of intelligence. However all of these ideas are continuing to be researched, so that an even more reliable explanation of the evolution of intelligence can be produced in the near future.

History and Political Science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 1

History and Political Science - Essay Example However, with independence and exacerbated peace missions across warring countries, this has changed over time. Many states around the world are independent and sovereign. China and Germany for example were ruined after the Second World War, but have emerged as leading world powers today, right from the post-war period. Security measures, trade and financial systems are essential factors that are promoting global relations today, enhancing the persistent globalization process. Modernization and contemporary trends in cultural, social, economic and political aspects define globalization today. Globalization is a process that has been going on for quite a long time now. It is this process that has resulted in global power shifts between states. The start of globalization is a historical phenomenon. It is dated decades of years ago, when states began to unite against others. Different states were objective about accumulating significant authority and power against others. The idea was t o dominate weaker states by strong states. In this regard, it was necessary that states unite to concentrate their powers and authority. On the same note, other objectives were realized in the process, characterized by global powers that keep shifting from time to time. Globalization is a diverse concept that is defined by numerous concepts, each of which is unique from one state to another. Converging cultural, social, economic and political practices are central to globalization in the modern times. It is highly characterized by interconnectedness of modes and means of communication that make it easy for the entire world to keep in touch. Populations in many states today have both locals and foreigners. The slave trade and migration of persons from one state to another marked the start of contemporary globalization. The moving out of business enterprises from their locales to international locations further exacerbated globalization and state relationships. The start of globalizat ion is basically seen from its definition. Globalization in the global power between states context is defined as an expanded economic integration, characterized by interdependence of states through international free trade, market economies, investments and capital flows (Raymond, Barbara and Bob, p.121-122). This process started as soon as world states began to realize their rights and freedoms at a time when weaker states were dominated by string states. The fading away of colonialism, slave trade and war between states marked the start of globalization. This was also the start of the realization of global power between states. Global politics have from then become diversely distributed, with globalization acting as the shaping power of the said distribution. The influence of global commerce has significantly led to the realized trends in global power between states. Multinational corporations and Bretton Woods institutions have further accelerated the influence of globalization on global powers and authorities. This has been aided by ease in international communication and transport, collaboration between states and technological advancements from time to time. (Raymond, Barbara and Bob, p.122) says, â€Å"global commerce linked with the spread of global fibre-optic networks, digitization, satellite communications, the world wide web and computer technology have impacted state-to-state power relations dramatically.† The effects of globalization