Mutual understanding is benefit of studying abroad

Study-abroad programs offer more than a semester or year of vacation in another country for high school and university students.

They’re small acts of diplomacy.

Barbara Decker, director of student services for the Council for Educational Travel office in Grand Rapids, said foreign students learn during their study abroad experiences that American life isn’t like that depicted in Hollywood.

“They expand their horizons, they get more of a realistic view of American culture,” she said. “I think many students have an entirely different view from movies and ads about American culture.”

Just as international students learn that everything isn’t as glossy as in American TV shows, Americans learn about life overseas through exchange students.

Students at Cardinal Mooney High School in Marine City, which is hosting nine South Korean students, said they’re eager to visit Korea after learning about the country.

“Korea’s a cool place … because it’s big and populous,” said Tim O’Gara, a freshman.

Sophomore Chelsea Bates plays volleyball with two of the exchange students.

“They’re really fun, they’re so positive,” she said. “They never complain. They’re always just happy to be here.”

Elaina Silva-Moody, whose students are “Jeff” Je Seon Kim, and Heera Ha, said the family has learned a lot.

“They’ve taught us magic tricks,” she said. “And that they’re not North Korea.”

Masha Treusch-Pelzer, guidance counselor at Cardinal Mooney, said the school hosts students from places such as Brazil, China, Portugal and Germany each year. This is the first time the school has hosted a large group of students from one country at the same time.

“Anything we can do to expose our kids to a different world view, they definitely benefit,” Treusch-Pelzer said.

Decker said international travel and study fosters peace and cultural understanding.

“It makes the world a smaller place,” she said. “It’s not just someone in Germany, it’s someone you’ve had in your house that you love. Because of study abroad, maybe someday we won’t have wars. I’m an adamant believer in the system.”

Source: www.thetimesherald.com