It was as though she was looking at her own country with someone else's eyes. And she was. Melissa LaMonte had the same reaction. Leaving Pacific University for a year's study abroad in Tubingen, Germany, as a history major, she studied German with students from 30 other countries and traveled extensively during a two-month spring break. The difference in how one views the world can work both ways.
Students often pick up a deeper appreciation of their own country.
Mentzer became more patriotic and grateful for America. On the other end of the spectrum, some students become critical of American ways. Hoag recalls going through the process of thinking little of the U.S. one week and missing it terribly the next. In addition, students can find themselves put in the position of defending America with the result that they become more knowledgeable about it. Students going overseas to study assume they're going to find out about the new country, but Perry observes that in reality, they'll learn more about the country they left.