Developing such knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs tends to make one less ethnocentric and more adaptable. It helps students gain skills in creative and critical thinking as well as expanding their knowledge of their home country and culture. In addition to the character benefits, study abroad can also be an excellent addition to a resume. A student that makes the most of a study abroad experience will certainly enhance these skills. This means reaching out to people of another culture, and possibly making mistakes by speaking in a foreign language.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness . . .
Every year, the number of students studying abroad increases. The most popular regions for study abroad continue to be Western Europe and Latin America. The ten most popular countries are the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, Mexico, Australia, Germany, Costa Rica, Ireland and Japan, in that order. Seventy percent of all U.S. students who studied abroad in 1997-98 went to one of those ten countries. However, study abroad programs are working hard to offer courses that will meet the needs of students who have majors outside of these most popular disciplines.