People normally associate studying abroad with young undergraduate students spending a semester abroad while attending a traditional university. But nontraditional and older students can often benefit from study abroad even more than traditional young undergraduate students. Having a higher level of maturity and a greater appreciation for diverse cultures often allows older students to appreciate the experience more. Pursuing an online mba program while taking in the history and architectural richness of a great city can be a uniquely enriching experience.
London, England
As the seat of power in the former British Empire, no city has impacted human history like London since the fall of Rome. And even though the glories of the British Empire have faded, you can still see glimpses of imperial power lingering in the art, architecture and culture. Westminster Abbey—where some of Great Britain’s finest poets, scholars and famous leaders’ bodies are entombed—is a cultural mecca for students of history. The British Museum is one of the best in the world and the British Library offers incredible opportunities to study and examine original manuscripts if you’re lucky enough to be granted reading rights. Studying abroad in London makes sense, especially if you want to strengthen your knowledge base in areas outside of your main academic discipline.
Edinburgh, Scotland
To the north of England, not far from the crags and mountains of the Scottish highlands, lies Edinburgh. Situated on the Firth of Forth, Scotland’s capital is an inspiring place to study. The gray granite architecture of Edinburgh sometimes blends into the gray Scottish sky to create a uniquely striking monochromatic effect. Looking out over Edinburgh from the craggy hill known as Arthur’s Seat, you can often hear the distant peal of bagpipes wafting up from Princess Street. There’s no better place to read the works of Tobias Smollett and Robert Burns than from the summit of Arthur’s Seat with Edinburgh lying like a blanket nestled between the Scottish hills. And if you’re a student of art, The National Gallery of Scotland contains the national art collection of Scotland and is stocked with a breathtaking and wide-ranging collection of works ranging from Jacopo Bassano to Giambattista Tiepolo. The opportunities to study art, architecture and literature in Edinburgh are nearly inexhaustible.
San Salvador, El Salvador
Far away from the British Isles between North and South America, El Salvador is Central America’s smallest country. Students who are interested in archeology will find the ancient Mayan pyramids and architectural digs beyond fascinating. El Salvador’s capital city, the old Spanish colonial city of Suchitoto with its perfect examples of colonial-period Spanish architecture, is less than an hour away from San Salvador. Even though Suchitoto is so close to San Salvador geographically, high elevation in the volcanic mountains of El Salvador means that the temperatures are much cooler. For students studying Spanish in the capital, Suchitoto can provide a welcome respite to the sometimes sweltering heat of San Salvador. If surfing is your thing, studying in San Salvador might be a perfect fit for you as well. The beaches of El Zonte have some world class breaks and beautiful black sand beaches. And the best part? If you need a surfing study break, El Zonte is a mere forty minute drive away.
Mon, Aug 8, 2011
Destinations