Strolling through quaint French cobblestone streets, picking up a fresh croissant from the local boulangerie on your way to school and roaming open-air markets on the weekend — this is what your life could look like with a year abroad.
Romanticizing a school year abroad in France, or any country for that matter, is an easy task. But the decision to actually leave home can be intimidating. Hesitations about homesickness, missing out on teenage milestones back home, and the fear of being out of place in a new culture are all valid concerns that stop many high school students from even considering a year abroad. It’s for these reasons that, according to the Council on International Educational Exchange, only 2% of U.S. high school students participate in a school year abroad.
The same apprehension exists in the Poly community; each school year, a representative from the School Year Abroad (SYA) program comes to talk with Poly students about travel opportunities. However, I’ve never seen the SYA table bustling with students. It makes sense, then, that only one or two juniors study abroad each year.
Yet, despite their fears, the students who take the leap to spend eleventh grade in another country find that the benefits far outweigh the initial uncertainty. Especially today, when globalization and interconnectedness are accelerating, as many companies are transcontinental, immersing yourself in a different culture presents advantages that are more compelling than ever.
Now, do I expect my article to leave the Poly classrooms empty because I convinced everyone to pack their bags? No. But if we can acknowledge the untapped benefits of a school year abroad, maybe we can change a few minds.
Although a year away from family, friends and the familiarity of your home may appear daunting, this is also where the crux of its value lies. A study published in the Journal of Studies in International Education found that high school students who participated in year-long exchange programs reported significantly higher levels of self-reliance and maturity. Students learn how to problem-solve and work their way through challenging situations that inevitably arise in new environments.
These skills are paramount for finding success beyond high school. According to research from the University of Mississippi, students entering college whose independence is not fully developed do not feel ready to tackle college and are significantly more stressed. Dr. Meera Menon, a psychiatrist for students at Ohio State University, noted, “It’s a difficult time for college students [because] not only are they seeking education, but they’re learning to live on their own, which can be stressful.”
Taking a school year abroad during high school gives teenagers ample preparation for learning and functioning in new environments before they head off to college.
Not only can school years abroad better equip you to be self-sufficient and resourceful, but cultural immersion can leave a profound impact on your outlook on life.
Esmė Younger, a current junior who is spending the year in Rennes, France as part of SYA, said, “What really surprised me was how quickly you start to pick up the language and culture just by being surrounded by it every day… I’ve learned the value of shared experiences and the importance of fully immersing yourself in the culture while you can.”
Living abroad helps us develop global perspectives and appreciation for diverse cultures. In high school, we tend to live in a bubble of repetitive activities that do not expose us to the diversity of our globe. We learn about different cultures and communities in the classroom, yet we rarely get to apply our knowledge in real time. There is no better way to uncover the vibrant differences among people and places than throwing yourself into experiences that are outside your community and country.
As outlined in the PolyGlobal mission statement, the PolyGlobal program “supports the school’s mission and Credo by fostering an interest in, an understanding of, and a respect for the dignity and worth of fellow human beings and their cultures worldwide.”
PolyGlobal’s travel programs are amazing opportunities that give students a snapshot of life in foreign countries, but nothing can compare to the immersive experience of a full year abroad.
The cultural awareness cultivated during a year abroad is also more than just personally enriching: according to the Institute of International Education, more than 90% of alumni from secondary education exchange programs reported that their experience abroad developed skills for entry into the global workforce. We live in a highly interconnected world and having the ability to communicate across cultures and adapt to various settings is becoming increasingly imperative for various fields.
But if nothing has convinced you so far, let it be this. A school year abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that very few people can say they have had. Here at Poly, we have such a well-supported program that gives students this opportunity to make irreplaceable memories, life long friendships, and unmatched preparations for the future.
Younger shared, “Looking back, I can’t believe how much I worried before coming. I wasn’t sure if a year abroad was right for me, but if it’s something you’ve even considered, chances are you’ll thrive, the only regret you’ll have is not giving it a chance because you can only grow from this experience.”
A school year abroad is the pinnacle of experiential learning, providing students with holistic benefits that will ripple throughout their lives, which is why I myself am considering this experience for my junior year. A school year abroad offers more than the good food and fun perks we initially think of; in pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zones, we are left with new perspectives and the realization that the world is so much bigger than that of our Poly high school lives.
