September 14,1994
Campus Opinion
Editorial: Study Abroad
by Teresa Latham
When people hearthe word educa
tion, th^ generally seem to think of an
academic setting. That is not all that I
think of anymore.
I ^ent the last school year (my
junior year) at the University of
Hvunberside in England. Even tho\^ 1
W2S being ‘formally'’ educated during
my time there, I would have to say that
the maj(Hityof my education took place
outside the classroom
Living in a different country for
nine months was unlike anything I
haveeverdooebefore. Choosingtogo
for a year away fix>m Meredith was a
challenge 1 gave myself knowing that
many more chaUenges were to come
that year. In my decision process, I
came up with many more reasons to
go than to stay. My pros and cons list
was dearly pointing to England.
So this is my question: Why don’t
more Meredith students take advan
tage of this tremendous opportunity
that is arailable to us?
Let me explain. The England pro
gram is an exchange program and diere-
fore, for every student we send, they
send one to Meredith. Last year only
three Meredith students went and this
year, only one. This is not because
other students were not qualified, it
was because nobody else wanted to
go.
But if you jump across the ocean to
England more than 300 of their stu
dents apply to come to the United
States. They have to narrow down their
applicant pool. Why is it that we do
not recognize the value of going
abrmd? Are we too wrapped up in our
own culture?
I just don’t understand. Are we
just a little too cozy forown own good?
A year in England has so much to
offer (or any of the other programs). I
got to meet people iromdifferent parts
of the worid. 1 went through Europe
on my Christmas break and England
and Wales over spiing break. I was in
Paris for Christmas and Munich for
New Years. I celebrated my twenty-
first birthday at a pub. It was amazing.
But most importantly, it wasn't just
all that I got to see. Because when the
vacation Umes were over and I went
home, home was England. Visiting and
Meredith Herald
EdHor in Chief
Christina Peoples
Layout Editor Shannon Peterson
Copy Editor Melissa Massengill
Features Editor Ciarky Lucas
News EdHor. Addie Tschamler
Photo Edftor. Jetson
Business Manager Carrie Shaw
Reporters Arinn Dixon, Ashley Peay,
Kimberly Zucker, Keri VanDoren, Jan Everhart, Meiissa
Cloer, Teresa L.atham, Oarrow Pate, Mary Christian Parrott,
Tricia Hunter, Meagan Cronauer, Marsha Tutor
Photographers Laura Ross, Jan Seate
Faculty Consultants Rod Cockshutt, Nan Miller
Editorial Policy:
The Meredith Herald Is published by the College throughout the academic
year. The paper is funded by the College and through adverising. The
opinions expressed in editorial columns do not necessarily reflect those of
the college administraMon, faculty or student body.
Letters to the Editor policy:
Everyone in the Meredith community is invited to write a letter to the editor.
All published tetters must be typewritten with contact name, address and
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be withiwld upon request.
exploring are marvelous and excitir^,
but actually livif^ in a country is unbe
lievable.
Now, I don’t mean to say that it is all
peaches and cream. You will experi
ence bad times as well as good, just like
you do at Meredith.
1 am sure a lot of you are thinking
about what you may be leaving be
hind, like your ^unily, friends, boy
friend, and everything you are accus
tomed to. But I can tell you that if they
truly care about you they wiU there
for you when you return.
Going abroad will not be the easi
est thing to do but I think that it will be
the QK}st rewardif^. From it, you will
gain a stronger will, an expanded per
spective, an open mind, and a greater
independence than you ever thoi^t
you could.
1 feel like I am preaching, bin I
really feel that it is a important part of
my education and my life and I would
do it all over again. TTiere are not very
many chances in life to do something
like study abroad, and I wish omre
people would take some time to look
beyond the postcard and aaually ex
perience all that you can.
Meredith College students are invited to participate in
the Leadership Development Series at
North Carolina State Universtiy.
Choose from over 40 woikshops guaranteed to enhance
your personal and leadership development. Registration is
going on throughout the semester
The three-hour interactive workshops cost $5.00, and
are held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights in the
NCSU University Student Center. Gain a competitive edge
in the job market by participating in the Leadership Devel
opment Series today.TTie series begins Sept. 26.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Laura Black or Leslie Beddingiield
NCSU
University Student Center
Student Leadership Center
Campus Box 7306
Raleigh, NC 27695
919-515-2452
OR
See Kim LetUefield in the Office of the Dean of Students
(second floor, Cate Center) for a registration form and a
description of each workshop being offered.