"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness... Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one corner of the earth all one's lifetime." Mark Twain

By the time you have arrived at this web site to read about Australian and New Zealand study programs, you would have already read many materials on the benefits of study abroad.

So why is study abroad so important? Why must it become a part of your academic study?

We live in a different world than our parents and grandparents did - one that is increasingly becoming more and more interdependent. Our of necessity, we need to learn more about other countries, cultures, and people. There are now common goals and objectives shared across international borders. Study abroad is one way of truly immersing in cultural diversity. By becoming a part of that outside world, we learn to truly engage with the international community.

The workplace has also changed - employers are demanding more than academic degrees; they are looking for employees that have international study and/or work experience, languages, and an ability to adapt to an evolving work environment where businesses are sometimes forced to move across national and international borders.

The number of students going abroad each year continues to increase. While students in North America have a multitude of choice in terms of study programs, the opportunity for undertaking study abroad is becoming a priority for today's student and their Home Schools who see study abroad as a necessity in terms of professional, personal and career advancement.

The removal of restrictions on the use of State and Federal aid and loans by the US Government has also made it possible for US students to use the opportunity to study abroad while continuing their financial aid and loans. Prior to President Clinton leaving Office, he had signed an Executive Memorandum asking US colleges to increase opportunity for students to study abroad. The importance of this message continues under the leadership of the current President.