The American Goes Abroad

Of the objectives for which persons go abroad, five can be clearly identified: to see other countries, to learn about other peoples and cultures, to learn a foreign language, to pursue some specific field, and to teach or to help abroad. Abroad, the individual passes through three phases of adjust ment. He first is a spectator, a stage many do not pass; next, he becomes personally involved; finally, he masters the situa tion. Little real learning occurs before the last stage is reached. Many of the programs for travel abroad advertise educational opportunities. Many summer programs are avail able, but little critical analysis has been made of them, al though such analysis is needed. Study abroad during the regular academic year has traditionally been on the graduate level. Programs are expanding to send undergraduates abroad while working toward their bachelor degrees. American un dergraduates frequently do not take the same courses or meet the same standards as their foreign counterparts, owing to basic differences in the undergraduate programs. United States teachers and professors tend to go abroad to advance their scholarly interests on sabbatical or research projects. Increas ing numbers are used in educational development projects of the United States Government, international organizations, or foundations. Travel and study abroad offer rich educational possibilities and opportunities for promoting international goodwill. It is required that the Americans who represent their country abroad, in whatever capacity, be competent and sincere.—Ed.