Why Study Abroad?
Our programs are one-of-a-kind, and the benefits of studying with SFS last a lifetime.
Personal Development
Learning about other cultures can assist students in better understanding their own origins, cultural values, and biases. This will influence their interactions with people from different cultures while abroad and long after they have returned to the U.S. During SFS programs, students live in tight-knit communities with their peers, SFS staff, and local residents, while engaging frequently in various community interaction and service activities. Many students have informed us that their study abroad experience helped them build teamwork skills and learn from each other’s differences, resulting in increased maturity and self-confidence.
Academic Commitment
During SFS programs, much of the classroom is found in the world outside. The interdisciplinary academic schedule consists of field trips, field work, field lectures, and classroom lectures. Working with our permanent, full-time faculty team, students gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding of complex environmental issues. Learn more about the environmental issues studied at each Center.
The benefits that my daughter gained from her experience at SFS Peru would not fit on this page. She experienced the jungle and the mountains in way that she could never have done through independent travel or normal school work. Spending months with expert biologists in the field was exceptionally valuable to her education, her feeling of independence and helping her find her mission in life.
Career Goals
Many SFS students express an interest in field-based careers, and SFS gives them the chance to experience life in the field first-hand. This often gives them a better clarity of future goals. SFS programs can also ignite a career path that a student may not have even considered before their experience abroad. Potential employers are also often impressed by an applicant with international field experience, proving they have learned skills such as commitment, flexibility, and self-motivation.
Making Connections
Students often remain in touch with these people long after the program has ended. Students also have the opportunity to create important connections with professionals in the environmental studies field who may open up prospects for future academic or career endeavors. Many SFS alumni apply for internships with us, and end up gaining valuable experience to jumpstart their careers.