The TCU Center for International Studies is strongly committed to providing study abroad opportunities to our students. Why? Because we have lived, studied, and taught in the France, Belgium, Japan, Mexico, Scotland, and Wales ourselves, and we have experienced first-hand the enriching benefits of international life. Studying abroad is a powerful experience that affords eye-opening, challenging, rewarding, intensive, experiential learning opportunities. It presents students with an occasion to learn not just through textbooks, but also by drawing upon a new environment. The immersion quality of study abroad allows students to learn with all of their senses, and to return with a more-well rounded vision and education.

Studying abroad leads to many benefits, depending on the individual and what he or she invests in the experience. Iin general, you can expect to see the following kinds of changes in your student:

• increased tolerance of, respect for, and interest in people of other cultures;
• increased foreign language skills;
• increased independence;
• sense of accomplishment and achievement; and
• increased interest in learning about and exploring the world.

How does this translate into tangible skills? Basically, studying abroad results in the acquisition of many skills employers are looking for today: good communication skills, ability to work with a variety of people, creative thinking skills, initiative, international awareness, and a willingness to go above and beyond.

At TCU, we believe that a well-educated person will demonstrate an ability to move comfortably among many cultures, languages, and points of view. In other words, a well-educated person will be a world citizen. We believe further that we can contribute directly to the next generation of world citizens by providing high quality academic courses through our summer and semester study abroad programs. TCU has maintained a strong commitment to study abroad and international education; we have been nationally ranked among the top ten doctoral universities for study abroad participation for the past several years.