This past summer, I embarked on one of the most memorable adventures of my life. It has become clear to me now — six months and one drained bank account later — that studying abroad has provided me with an education I never could have received back home.
By this I mean no disrespect to SFU. I am proud to be a part of this university’s community. But there are things about this world that I could not have learned in a lecture in Saywell Hall.
As a political science student who one day hopes to work in the federal government, Canadian politics and culture is at the forefront of my interests. When I set off to study for a year in France, the last thing I expected was to be given lessons in anything regarding Canada.
To my surprise, I have learned something new about the country I call my home almost every day, all while living over 8000 kilometers away.
The regional paper I read and the locals I talk to have no connection to Canada — no fondness, no political affiliation or patriotism to cling to. I have been given an opportunity from them to hear a multitude of opinions free from all bias, curriculum and political motivation. For me, this has played a massive role in the development of my own opinions.
While my professors have done a great job at giving me an understanding of large themes, it would all be for nothing if I could not compare it with own personal, informal experiences. This has forced me to reflect on the importance of pursuing my education on an informal level. By an ‘informal education’, I mean the kinds of learning you can’t experience in class.
I can attest to the fact that it’s easy for students to get wrapped up in their undergraduate studies. All too often I find myself worrying about having a high enough GPA, about WQB requirements, and all the little parts of my degree that will hopefully guide me towards a nine-to-five job. But four years of intro-to-this and advanced-that is not enough in terms of achieving a well-rounded education.
Living abroad has given me the opportunity to engage in conversations with students from around the world, and to hear opinions on Canadian politics and culture that I haven’t encountered back home.
Getting to have these discussions in a social setting with a small group of students from around the world serves a very different purpose than attending a lecture consisting of 100 people.
Formal schooling teaches you the ABCs of your field, but there is often very little room for a more personal discourse that allows for everyone to elaborate on their experiences, values and personal opinions. In short, attending class is simply not enough.
Living abroad has given me the opportunity to have real debates and learn about how my country’s policies are perceived on an international level.
One of the most memorable instances of this was in the days following the shooting on Parliament Hill this past fall. Many of my friends approached me, knowing that I am Canadian and that I would be following the story’s development, to talk about the media coverage and gun crime in their own countries.
While there are still another few months left in my exchange, I have reached the conclusion that pursuing learning opportunities, in unofficial and relaxed environments, is absolutely necessary in terms of establishing a complete education.
It’s important to note that studying abroad isn’t the only way to go about this kind of education, either. Whether you’re volunteering locally, joining clubs or organizations, or teaching yourself a new skill such as cooking, you will in some way be growing your own abilities and mindset. It’s important to constantly be filling your life with opportunities to learn more about yourself and the world we live in.
With this exchange also came the opportunity for me to live alone, away from everyone I’ve ever met. And while I miss my friends and family every day, I have been forced to learn how to care for myself in ways that I never had to before. These kinds of experiences help us develop ourselves, our opinions and our personal skills.
It can be hard to find the motivation to engage in these kinds of experiences. Students are often drained mentally, physically, and financially from focusing so hard on their formal studies, but the reward is worth the additional time and energy. Our degrees will ultimately mean nothing if we have no developed sense of self to prove for it.
Informal education is a way of complementing our formal schooling. We need both to build a comprehensive understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
For anyone who truly wants to prepare themselves for life’s responsibilities, to gain an edge in the competitive job market, or to make themselves a well-rounded individual, it is absolutely necessary to get out of the classroom and look for the opportunities that will balance their schooling with their learning.
