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8 Great Reasons to Take a Spring Term Course

By Tim Rath

When I look back on my time at college, what sticks out as my happiest memory? Probably my study abroad course.

No matter what your major is or what you want to do with your life, I believe study abroad is an enriching opportunity. It may seem frightening — I was nervous going into it, too! — but what I learned about myself and the world made it all worth it.

Alma College offers a ton of options for students who wish to study abroad. For the 2022-23 academic year, Spring Term courses are scheduled in 11 countries on five continents, meaning you can truly see the world. And — this will make your parents happy — Alma offers a way to make it all affordable.

We’ll get to that last part in a moment. For now, here are eight great reasons to study abroad this year.

  1. Travel

Before I studied abroad, the only opportunity I ever had to go outside the United States was to visit relatives in Windsor, Ontario, Canada — not too different from my hometown in Michigan! Studying abroad gave me a chance to see the world.

  1. Education

Study abroad courses are often “immersive” experiences, meaning that you are living within the area that you’re studying, while you’re studying it. The lessons I learned while studying abroad have stuck with me more than most other college courses I took.

  1. Cultural enrichment

Studying abroad will allow you to see the world through the eyes of others — not just your friends, family and neighbors, but people who live far away from you. It’s an eye-opening experience, and extremely beneficial to your well-being.

  1. Independence

While you’re studying abroad, your family won’t be able to check in on you. You’ll have to navigate the day-to-day without them looking over your shoulder. It may seem scary at first, but you eventually learn that you’re capable of more than you may have realized.

  1. Testing yourself

What’s it worth to go through life on easy mode? While you’re studying abroad, there will be challenges that come up. It’s inevitable. But when you overcome them, you feel better than you would going about your daily routine at home.

  1. Diversity of programming

Alma College offers SO. MANY. PROGRAMS. for students who are interested in studying abroad. In the 2022-23 academic year, you can take everything from history to education, environmental science to English, music to world cultures. It might sound cliche, but … there’s something for everyone.

  1. Resume

Taking a study abroad course shows future employers that you have the capacity to do more than just study hard and participate in extracurricular activities. It shows that you’re well-rounded, willing to step outside your comfort zone, and capable of relating to all kinds of people.

  1. It can be affordable!

This is probably my favorite reason study abroad at Alma College. As part of the Alma Commitment, the Alma Venture program will provide up to $2,500, and sometimes more, to offset the cost of your personalized experience, including a Spring Term course. Learn more about the Alma Venture program.

— Tim Rath serves as the director of college communications at Alma College. In 2009, as part of a study abroad program, he studied political science at the University of Oxford, in England.

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT TAKING A SPRING TERM COURSE!

Info sessions for Spring Term 2023 are going on NOW. Check out the following events to see if you’re interested!