Over the past few weeks, different JMU Professors and advisors working in the SCOM or Study of Communications department have sent out various reminders about opportunities to study abroad. There were interest meetings held this past Monday evening on September 5th to provide more information for those students who are interested. There are a list of options that includes places such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Korea, and various European countries. The classes that are offered range from 3-credit hours to 4-credit hours, all covering unique aspects and courses for the SCOM major.
Traveling abroad is a great opportunity utilized by many students. In the 2021-2022 school year JMU had 950 students study abroad to different countries for varying majors. This is used as a great tool for students to either catch up or get ahead in crossing off credits required in order to graduate. But there are so many exterior motives that students possess that entice them to take advantage of these provided opportunities.
Through individual experience and mutual viewpoints, many individuals in college want to utilize their younger years to travel and see the world. In a time of our life that is strained with class, work, studying, and social commitments, opportunities to explore the world and see unfamiliar terrain become very limited. It is also apparent that time management does not get easier as life continues when people start to focus on careers, marriages, and families. Being able to experience and appreciate new cultures, practices, and traditions is a blessing that many people in America don’t take advantage of enough, which can lead to dangerous or regressive stereotypes or ideologies.
America more than other countries has a stubborn mindset when viewing foreign cultures and expecting different countries to adapt to their presence. While taking SCOM 248 and reading the book “Intercultural Communication: A Critical Perspective” by Rona Tamiko, I know that individuals from other countries emphasize the lack of consideration for other cultures that is shown in America. Both a lack of appreciation and respect is shown for foreign nations and is a trend that we need to break.
Halualani, R. (2019). Intercultural Communication: A Critical Perspective. Cognella.
There are several online, asynchronous, and in-person classes that are offered for students to take more credits outside of the normal Fall and Spring semester. But the emphasis of encouraging students to do their studying abroad is just as much, if not more, for the experience, than the education. Being able to embrace a regions of the world for an extended period of time within a safe environment allows for endless possibilities to inspire a young adult. Many individuals are limited to get these experiences by external factors such as family commitments and financial flexibility, however this provides a very viable option for those anxious to see other parts of the world.
Upon return students can not only appreciate and have witnessed how different people across the world interact and live in their own societies, but they can share their experiences and spread knowledge about foreign cultures. This can spread a positive impact not only within the JMU community, but also the hometown community of all students who study abroad. This can be used as a small step in the right direction when dealing with our societies’ unacceptable ignorance towards other countries, cultures, and traditions.
Accessing JMU’s opportunity to study abroad is a great offer that all SCOM students should seriously consider. Both academically and culturally a young individual can gain so much. Taking credits during the summer and winter can be difficult to commit to. Being in a new environment can make these classes engaging and more rewarding as a learner. But to experience a whole new place that acts differently than our home is a once in a lifetime experience and could positively affect our communities both foreign and domestic. Once in a lifetime opportunities only come once and these abroad opportunities are recommended for all SCOM students.
For more Information about the opportunities to study abroad, access this link which has an overview of each individual trip that is available for SCOM students. https://canvas.jmu.edu/courses/1913370/discussion_topics/11368214
Tula, T. (2023). Big Ben. Unspalsh.com. https://unsplash.com/photos/a-tall-clock-tower-with-a-clock-on-each-of-its-sides-qpx8vVjMGiY
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