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The Campaign for a Bradley Renaissance

 

Students study abroad

Bradley Students Studying Abroad

By Lee Newton, assistant professor of English

At this moment we have 38 Bradley University students studying in Dublin, Ireland — and many more studying in other venues such as Vienna, Berlin, Verona, and Helsinki.  I have no doubt that these students, and I emphasize the term students (not tourists), will return to the United States transformed in many ways.

Having visited five continents, countless countries, and lived outside the United States for approximately 15 years (and having participated in 10 Study Abroad sessions with Bradley University), I am a firm believer in the power of travel as a transforming tool or medium.  This opportunity, studying abroad, allows our students to move beyond the mere 6 o’clock news and the Discovery Channel.  They will witness historical debates firsthand, learn about their majors and career paths from different perspectives, and — most importantly — grow into more intelligent and informed citizens of the world.

Mark Twain wrote that "travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness."  Already, some of our students have encountered many cultural differences which have colored or changed their opinions.  They have entered into discussions and debates regarding the differences between the American and European education systems, their ideas of democracy, standard operating procedures within the world of business, and the advantages/disadvantages of socialized healthcare.  They gather unfiltered information in local newspapers, on the local TV channels, from guides and historians at local universities, and, yes, even from the average local citizen who isn’t afraid to share his/her opinion. 

Our students are fortunate that Bradley University recognizes the value and power of travel and studying abroad and that all involved (faculty, staff, administration) foster a spirit of global learning and a sense of international community.

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