Students’ study abroad preferences gradually shifting
In the midst of study abroad week, which gives students a chance to explore the various available options for going abroad, the Office of Overseas Studies has noted recent changes in students’ choices of destination and in the majors of those choosing to travel.
The number of students choosing to travel to Europe has remained steady, but the number of students going to South Africa to study has gone up 38 percent since spring 2009, according to the USC Office of Overseas Studies.
“We are not exactly sure why,” said Veronica Gomez, the program assistant for Overseas Studies. “The only reason that we have thought of as to why it has increased is that students could be interested in seeing the World Cup.”
Students not studying with the College of Letters, Arts & Sciences have also begun to study abroad more; the program saw a 54 percent increase in the number of Viterbi students going abroad through the Office of Overseas Studies this spring.
“It’s because we have advertised that engineering students can get engineering credit through our program, and that is why we have seen an increase of engineering majors,” Gomez said. “The engineering school offers a study abroad program, but there are more options for them through our program.”
Students who major in international relations still remain the most likely to study abroad through the Office of Overseas Studies.
Other majors, including psychology, neuroscience and political science, have all seen significant jumps in the number of students choosing to study abroad. The Overseas Studies program credits this to the addition of the University London College option.
Gisella de Morais, a junior majoring in international relations, decided to study abroad in Latin America this fall, choosing the region least often selected by USC students.
Although it took a few classes to grasp the language, de Morais said she wanted to study in Brazil to reconnect with her family.
“This experience completely changed me,” de Morais said. “I feel like a more complete person. Like I understand myself more, where I come from and that I have two cultures and homes in this world. “
Shane Swerdlow, a senior majoring in policy, planning and development and business administration, chose to study abroad in Barcelona, hoping, he said, to gain a better grasp of the language.
“I studied Spanish in high school, but it was weak when I arrived,” he said. “I took a two-week crash course through my abroad university, which was helpful, and my Spanish improved dramatically through forcing myself to speak in most situations. In Barcelona, most people speak Catalan before speaking Spanish, so I learned some Catalan phrases as well.”