The Magic That Happens When Students Travel Abroad: 6 Benefits of U.S. Study Tours

By: Emily Doyle, Director of Program Management and Community Engagement

When I was fifteen years old, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Spain for a school trip. The trip changed my life! I tried new foods (seafood paella became a new favorite!), improved my Spanish, and returned home to New York with new friendships that would deepen throughout high school and into adulthood.

I know from experience how life-changing international student travel can be. This is why I am thrilled that our Hudson Global Scholars  have the opportunity to participate in U.S. Summer Study Tours through Shorelight.

Here are the top six benefits that students experience when they participate in study tours.

Experience a New Culture

When students travel abroad, they are immersed in a new culture in a way that cannot be replicated. They go on historical and modern tours of the country. They taste the regional cuisine. Experiences like these give students a better sense of the culture they’ll be immersing themselves in at university. At the same time, students practice the language in real-life situations. For our students, study tours give them many opportunities to practice English, preparing them for English-speaking universities. Experiencing a new culture is one of the best ways to break from the confines of what students know and see what could be possible.

Participate in an American Study Program

As many of our international students are considering attending university in the U.S., it’s important for them to experience what it’s like during their visit. When considering Study Tours, students and their families should look for experiences that include opportunities to participate in academic workshops, receive expert career guidance, practice their English, learn about the college admissions process, and imagine what their future could look like!

Get a Taste of the College Experience

But it isn’t just about the academics. What is university life really like? Our students should find out while staying on a real college campus! To experience university live, Study Tour experiences should ideally include staying in a dormitory, eating in the dining halls, and using campus facilities like the gym, student center, and more.

Visit Prospective Universities

It is important for students to visit more than one university as they consider their future options. Often, Study Tours include visits to other local universities. For example, the Boston Summer Program through Shorelight builds in visits to some of the most prestigious universities in the U.S. nearly every day of the trip, including Harvard.

Making the choice to attend a university is a huge decision and these students will have a head start in deciding what type of school suits them best. They might even come home wearing a Harvard sweatshirt!

Develop Rich Peer Relationships

The quality of friendships that students experience in high school can set them up for future success in life. Nowadays, it is harder and harder to build relationships as the reliance on phones to communicate has made young people feel less connected and more isolated. Study Tours usually embed social activities such as special excursions, group meals, and free time where students can have fun together. All are designed to foster friendship and relationship-building.

Create Lasting Memories

Perhaps most importantly, study tours create lasting memories for students in ways that will motivate them through high school, college, and beyond.

Learn more about and register for the Study Tours offered by our partner, Shorelight, at https://hudsonglobalscholars.com/study-tours/.

About the Author

Emily Doyle is the Director of Product Management and Community Engagement at Hudson Global Scholars. In this role, she oversees product management, university advising, and student engagement programs. Over the last 15 years, Emily has launched many innovative new products and initiatives in education technology. As Vice President of Brand Experience at Teachstone, she launched a new form of customizable and accessible online professional development, impacting teaching practices during the pandemic and beyond. She is passionate about community building and has designed and scaled dynamic spaces of belonging for educators, corporate employees, customers, and students. Emily is an avid runner and cook and enjoys sharing her interests with the international student community at Hudson Global Scholars.