SLS Blog

Studying abroad provides an excellent chance for students to immerse themselves into completely new situations. Whether for a few weeks, a semester, or year of studying abroad, study abroad programs expose students to valuable life experiences. For some students, these opportunities begin with additional travel and in other instances can even lead to moving to and working in a foreign country. 

But in many cases, students have to wait until college to have a study abroad experience.

Note: Are you interested in learning more about St. Lawrence Seminary High School and the different opportunities available to the students there? We invite you to request more information here.

So, what is the value of getting a study abroad experience before going to college?

Studying abroad gives you multiple perspectives.

When studying abroad, you are immersed in more than just a different country. You’ll be faced with a potentially foreign language and different cultural norms (and maybe strange cuisine!).

Everything is just a little different from what you’re used to. But experiencing different cultures, religions, and people can help you gain an informed perspective of another part of the world, which is always important when preparing for college, since college will expose you to even more diversity of thought.

Studying abroad allows you to experience practical life skills.

The chance to study abroad is lots of fun, but during trips to foreign countries, students usually attend classes, tour cities, and spend time with a student host and their families. This sort of experience is perfect for high school students, because it begins to prepare them for being somewhat self-sufficient, ambitious, and gives them the chance to become familiar with regions and ideas they might cover in college.

Whether it is learning to navigate a subway map, converting currency, or ordering from a menu, each situation is a learning experience. Learning practical skills is one of the most important reasons to travel while in high school.

How can St. Lawrence help you to study abroad prior to college?

Saint Lawrence Seminary High School and its partner school, the “Loburg,” have had the cultural exchange since the early 1980s. At the time the exchange began, both schools were for Catholic boys. The Loburg has changed a little since the first exchange. It continues as a “Gymnasium” (a school that prepares students for college) but is no longer only for boys. The exchange allows each school to experience how it is to be a student in another country.

Every exchange is different, but the results are the same: students often begin to learn a new language, make some friends, practice life skills, and are ready to share their new-found perspectives with others for years to come.