UNC Charlotte Students Do More than Just Study Abroad
One of the most exciting parts of being a college student is the opportunity to study abroad. With so many affordable programs now available for undergraduate and graduate students around the world, studying in a foreign country is an experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Not only does the experience allow students a way to broaden their educational experience, it opens doors to new skill sets that they may not have otherwise developed. Some students, as a way to finance international studies, opt to teach English abroad. This can not only help them learn valuable teaching methods, it can greatly enhance their problem solving and communication skills.
Last semester, a group of UNC Charlotte students traveled to China. The dean’s only requirement for this trip was that, in addition to their regular studies, they each try to teach English abroad. Many students complained about this requirement at first, saying it would be too hard. Others wondered how they would ever be able to teach a Chinese person to speak English if they didn’t personally know Chinese.
When the students returned from the trip, some were interviewed by the school paper about their experiences, and what they liked and didn’t like about UNC Charlotte’s Study Abroad program. Surprisingly, every student said that the best part about the trip to China was the opportunity to teach English to Chinese people. In fact, many said that it was this experience that defined the trip for them.
Teaching English abroad calls upon so many sets of character traits and skills, including resourcefulness, creativity, perseverance, patience and mental acuity. It takes the student out of the role of tourist, and makes them a part of the culture that they are studying.
When the professor was asked why teaching English to foreigners is such an important part of his overseas curriculum, he said that it not only sharpens a student’s academic and life skills, but it also looks great on a resume.
