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U.S. student participation in study abroad has almost tripled since the mid-1980s, with substantial growth since the mid-1990s. For many, spending time abroad is a highlight of the undergraduate experience. Yet, a disturbing trend exists: for a variety of reasons, certain student populations are severely underrepresented in study abroad programs. Engineering students are a glaring example. study usWhile 22.6% of the 191,321 students who studied abroad in 2003-2004 were social science majors and 17.5% were business majors, engineers represented only 2.9% of the students that studied abroad. Interestingly, from a developmental perspective, engineers could benefit tremendously from an international experience. In first examining the barriers that prevent engineering students from studying abroad in large numbers, then in examining the unique cognitive developmental benefits the experience can afford them, important questions about how study abroad can be employed as a catalyst for student development come into focus.

Barriers to Engineering Student Study Abroad

In failing to study abroad in large numbers, engineering students forfeit critical opportunities for development. The most commonly cited reason for not pursuing foreign study is that the engineering curriculum’s structure makes it very difficult, if not prohibitive. Since many engineering courses must be taken sequentially and are only offered one time per academic year, studying abroad often means committing to a fifth year of study. Given the exorbitant costs of higher education, postponing graduation is a financial impossibility for many. Further, since many higher level engineering classes are highly technical and require expensive laboratories, the countries in which engineering students can study for credit are limited. Also, studying a foreign language is associated with increased rates of study abroad, and very few schools mandate that engineers learn a foreign language or allow time for it. Another factor is students’ impressions of the impact of study abroad on career outcomes. Some students believe that courses taken abroad may be regarded as less rigorous or even frivolous. Interestingly, with engineering powerhouse schools like Indian Institute of Technology and in the age of large-scale, international engineering projects led by multinational corporations, graduates’ marketability to employers only increases with international experiencestudy us.

Study Abroad as a Catalyst for Cognitive Development For many institutions, the desired outcome as students progress through college is that through coursework and social interaction, students will gradually relinquish their belief in the certainty of knowledge and the omniscience of authorities and take increasing responsibility for their own learning. Due to the mathematical and quantitative focus of engineering programs, many engineers have a general penchant for dichotomous styles of thinking. Whereas a Philosophy major is often graded on long term-papers and essay exams, engineering students are usually assessed by tests for which questions have a single correct answer. Operating in this setting, it is no surprise that engineering students may have less tolerance for ambiguity, and despite their work on collaborative deign projects, many engineers have less developed communication skills than their Humanities and Social Science-oriented counterparts. For these reasons, the social and cognitive development associated with study abroad could have a very beneficial impact on engineering students.study us Many of the social benefits of study abroad are obvious: a change in environment causes students to make new connections, encourages exploration of different facets of their personality as well as increased cross-cultural understanding. In examining how study abroad can spur the cognitive development of engineering students, William Perry’s Scheme of Intellectual Development is useful. Developed on the basis of extensive interviews with Harvard undergraduates, Perry sought to “map conceptually the structures which the students explicitly or implicitly impute to the world.” According to Perry, these structures transcend content in that they describe not what a student thinks, but how they think and arrive at conclusions.

When you study abroad health and safety should be a top priority for you. Its important to take precautions and use common sense throughout your daily activities and as you explore new places. Prepare yourself and prevent your dream trip from turning into a nightmare.

Staying Healthy While Away

Taking care of yourself starts by eating right, exercising, getting plenty of rest, and keeping drug and alcohol use to a minimum regardless of the host countrys laws. In addition the following study abroad public health checklist can help you ensure a healthy trip abroad:

Check with the CDC When you travel abroad you should always check with the U.S. Center for Disease Control beforehand to learn about study abroad public health concerns including regional diseases. Know how theyre transmitted, preventative measures to take, and of course symptoms and treatments. Additionally research the types of shots, immunizations and x-rays you need to enter the country

Check with Your School Your host school will be able to provide you with a list of medical documents and study abroad health requirements youll need to enroll. This may include additional tests, records and forms above the countrys

study abroad public health requirements, so be sure to check

Visit Your Doctor and Dentist Once you find out what tests and shots youll need, have a complete physical done by your doctor. And since oral health is so closely related to your overall health, be sure to have a complete dental examination too

Refill Your Prescriptions When you travel, be sure to take a full supply of any prescription medicines with you. Before you go, check the countrys laws to make sure a legal U.S. drug isnt an illegal substance there and always keep medications in their original containers with the prescription information clearly visible. Its also a good idea to have a doctors note describing the exact medication, strength and dosage

Safety Abroad Means Being Street Smart

Safety abroad involves common sense and heeding the same types advice your parents may have given you over the years. Stay in groups and never go off alone at night. Never go anywhere with strangers. Dont take food or drinks from anyone you dont know. Keep your possessions close to you and dont wear flashy jewelry or flaunt expensive items. Criminals, including men, women, children and the elderly, prey on unsuspecting tourists, so listen to your gut, and heed the following safety abroad tips:

Get Informed Know everything that you can about the areas youre visiting. Start by scanning the U.S. State Departments website for travel advisories, warnings and additional safety abroad tips

Keep Emergency Contacts Handy Keep a list with you at all times that includes numbers for the local U.S. consulate or embassy, your school and study abroad program, your roommates or host family, and other local friends

Know the Area Learn about the areas and cities surrounding your school. Know where the police stations are, and how to ask for help in the native tongue. Be familiar with common routes to and from your campus

Know the Law Prevent possible legal altercations by being aware of your host countrys laws. You might be surprised to find out that some countries outlaw such seemingly benign behavior as jaywalking and chewing gum

Know the Customs If its customary to cover your head and face with a scarf, then do it. If its rude, or even criminal, to show your knees, leave your mini skirts and shorts at home

Dont Look Like a Tourist Dont even think about stringing a camera around your neck, and if youre lost, try not to look it. Instead go to a private area to discreetly consult a map. If you realize that asking for directions is your only option, look for a policeman or another authority figure to help you

Be Smart About Public Transportation If a taxi or bus isnt clearly marked with official language, dont get in. And although it may be tempting to save money, especially when traveling on a student budget , never share a taxi with someone you dont know

Ask Before You Snap Be careful who and what you photograph. Many times natives take offense to having their photographs taken by foreigners and may accost you

When you study abroad health and safety depend on your best judgment. Use your head and have the time of your life.

Visit at :http://www.studyabroaddomain.com/health_safety_info.aspx for Study Abroad Health, Study Abroad Public Health and Safety Abroad.

Student loans are often necessary to finance a college education. However, many graduates find it difficult to repay student loans after graduation.

Although there is a grace period of six months before graduates must begin repaying loans in today’s job market, it may take longer to secure employment and often new graduates start at low salaries make it difficult to repay student loans.

Student loan forgiveness programs will be officially”Excuse me” all or a portion of the loan amount, which means that this amount does not have to be repaid. There are student loan forgiveness programs for teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers and other professionals.

- Student Consolidation

Student loan forgiveness is available for teachers, by working full time in an elementary and secondary schools in low-income communities.

Many education majors and other preparations for the teaching profession to take out Perkins loans. If a teacher meets certainQualifications, it may be possible to cancel the entire Perkins loans. Perkins loans are provided by the individual college or university are available, so that graduates must contact the financial aid department of the university, to get information about debt relief.

Heath care workers and doctors to benefit from the student loan forgiveness programs. Working in low-income communities or areas with a shortage of medical personnel is a possibility for some Programs.

Health professionals can also repaid a certain amount on their behalf if they are pursuing medical research available through a special program of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
- Student Consolidation

Graduates from a variety of disciplines may consider the Americorps and Peace Corps volunteers, student loan forgiveness programs. Americorps volunteers help in many areas of community service receive an education award of $ 4725 for one year full-time service that can repay a> Student loans.

Peace Corps volunteers are for a 15 percent cancellation of their outstanding student loan balance for each year of Peace Corps service into consideration. Additional education and financial services available.

http://www.studentconsolidation.equitylinesite.com/2009/10/14/student-loan-forgiveness-programs-for-college-graduates/