Tips to encourage your advisees to study abroad
Students having the support of a respected mentor in their field can help encourage hesitant students to consider unique educational opportunities such as student abroad. Some students do not see study abroad as a viable option for them. For some first generation college students, students of color or from non-majority backgrounds, students from a high-need background, science students, music students, or student athletes, personal encouragement from faculty to consider studying abroad is influential. Your encouragement might be the first time a student sees the benefits of study abroad as accessible to them.
- Introduce the idea of studying abroad early with advisees.
- Don’t let students assume it will not be possible for them to study abroad without looking into the possibilities – encourage and assist them in exploring resources and possibilities.
- Share your own experiences of how studying or researching abroad impacted you personally, as well as your career in the field.
Simple questions to introduce the idea of studying abroad:
- “Have you thought about studying abroad?”
- “Do you know that studying abroad will give you a competitive advantage for your pursuits after Lawrence?”
- “Let’s look at your schedule to consider when studying abroad might work best for you.”
- “Are you aware that your financial aid can apply to study abroad and that there are additional scholarship resources for study abroad as well?”
- “Are you aware of the range of program options available?”