How Can Study Abroad Programs Impact Economically Emerging Nations
An Innovative Education Approach For Study Abroad Programs By Sharing Talent
When we think of outbound studying abroad from the US or Canada, the image that the average person has is going to Europe, highly selected countries, South America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Why is this?
Well, many universities and study abroad organizations operate on a heavy mantle of liability. Can you imagine the impact on an organization and a family if a student were harmed, had an unnatural death or went missing? So, due to perceived or actual risk levels, emerging nations are often not on the radar of study abroad organizations.
While I respect and understand the liability or concerns about embracing established programs in emerging nations, we must also consider the sustainability and responsibility of having each in our global society. Building a program in an emerging country, similar to those in established nations, requires due diligence in vetting as an aspect of operating the program.
Based on the location of the program, be it country or region, some alluded measures or contingencies might be needed, not unlike programs that we established in parts of Asia pre-Covid-19. Even in early 2023, some of those country programs can be resumed due to the protocol, restriction, and access. The same might be true for an emerging country that may incur a gradual or sudden crisis.
However, in our current age of hybrid or online, some parts of the program or experience could remain, especially the interpersonal components.
Many study abroad programs from North American countries, like the US and Canada, are structured from a semester of 4–5 months. Programs of this length are ideal for cultural and language immersion. Unfortunately, from the language context, many languages or major dialects are not taught in most Western higher education systems.
Thus, language immersion can be at the introductory level in many cases, but when joined with culture as a homestay, it could be quite impactful to a student. Study abroad programs and students operating in emerging countries could significantly impact emerging nations’ economies. They bring fresh ideas, new perspectives, and diverse experiences to the host country, which can lead to a positive impact on the local economy.
Creating programs connected directly to economic development and selecting students that are more inclined to these types of programs can have a mutual transformation for students and the local program they participate in while in their host country.
A further reflection of the program model might be a semester or year-long faculty-led program the two weeks to summer where these programs normally operate. The semester or year-long program work in conjunction with faculty from the home institution and local entity, university, non-government organizations or businesses to create a sustainable impact in their location.
A small, well-versed team of local staff supports the endeavors onsite, including matters about safety, security, health, and well-being. This program is not just about studying language and culture but about creating sustainable projects, employment, and training in a shared learning ecosystem. Each cohort that goes to this location continues the work of the previous to ensure longevity, vitality and sustainability.
One of the primary ways study abroad students can impact the economy is through job creation. The students may work part-time jobs in their host country, providing employment opportunities for locals. Additionally, the students may start businesses, which can further stimulate the local economy. An action of this kind can help to create new jobs and increase economic growth in the host country.
Study abroad students can also have a positive impact on the local tourism industry. They often travel to new places and experience local culture, which can inspire others to visit the same area. This can lead to an increase in tourist numbers, which can help to generate more income for local businesses and boost the local economy.
Another way study abroad students can impact the economy of emerging nations is through the transfer of knowledge and skills. They bring a new level of expertise and innovation to the host country, which can help to develop new technologies and industries. This level of sharing information and skillsets can lead to an increase in productivity and economic growth, which is crucial for emerging nations.
Institutions or study abroad organizations that establish programs in emerging countries have the ability to have a local impact. In addition to the homestay for accommodation, attending a local university will provide an immersion in a vastly different education model and style of learning while also transferring their knowledge and skills.
Furthermore, students who undertake internships or join a local project based on transferable skills will also help increase the local knowledge base and share in the development of local infrastructure.
Study abroad students can also impact the economy of emerging nations by increasing the level of international trade. They can help to create new business relationships and partnerships between the host country and their home country, which can lead to an increase in exports and imports. This can help to stimulate economic growth in both countries and lead to a more integrated global economy.
study abroad students who want to start a long-term relationship while in their country could continue their internship in a remote capacity or be part of an entrepreneurship venture. Becoming a partner, investor, marketer or researcher for export trade opportunities or local businesses seeking to scale are excellent ways to continue the impact of your initial education in your selected location. I also believe it is practical for home initiation to support such a concept through independent study credits
It would be an oversight if we failed to mention the human factor impacting the mental, emotional and intellectual growth of the student involved. The students who are vetted, selected and inclined to study abroad in emerging countries will most likely experience the world from a different lens than those who take a more privileged approach to their experience. Their ability to have empathy or improve will be profound.
The students will be challenged in new ways to put their talent and critical thinking skills to develop innovative and creative solutions for local issues. They will increase their ability to manage environmental, geopolitical, or economic differences, thus building immense resilience and empowerment while making a difference in society.
As a higher education professional and student affairs practitioner, who has recently worked with an outbound study abroad company, I want to see such an organization support emerging nations. The statement comes from my experience living and working in a half-dozen countries where I can envision a program that could make an impact.
Yes, I acknowledge that there are some higher education institutions and a couple of outbound (US-based) study abroad organizations that have taken the leap in emerging countries. However, our recent pandemic and its lingering impact have scaled back if all but minimized some of these past efforts. As a matter of speaking, we must revitalize the global economy through work, talent, knowledge sharing, new avenues for learning and new platform sharing, and innovation.
It is the ideal time to reactivate, partner, expand and build new programs in countries that desire and could use an infusion of new talent and skillset sharing.
We also understand that any implemented program has to make the scale of the economy. A study abroad program is education, but it is also an industry where profit or break-even matters on both sides, the outbound organization and the inbound organization. Programs of this nature, while having the greater good in mind, can come at a higher cost and are not practical for the bottom line.
As such, business does not make good business sense in most cases. While the business and education side must provide a yield, it is also essential to consider the sustainability of humanity in the process. Thus, the process could consider smaller and tailored programs supplemented by larger, more wide-scale programs.
In conclusion, by no means am I suggesting putting any student at intentional risk for sharing this concept, or is a program of this nature for your average study abroad student. Such a study abroad program is for students who see a greater responsibility for the world as a whole. We have a set of students who want to be empowered to make a change while empowering others to make a change in their home country.
Thus, study abroad programs with global impact-minded students can have significant development and economic impact on the economy of emerging nations. They bring new ideas, perspectives, and skills, which can help to create jobs, increase tourism, and boost economic growth. By promoting international trade and collaboration, study abroad students can play a vital role in supporting the economic development of emerging nations.
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