Some Boston University students said they chose study abroad programs in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles instead of international programs because they are more career-oriented.
“My favorite thing was the fact that I was able to go to the city where I hope to get a job,” said Hannah Patnaik, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences who studied in D.C. over the summer.
Though the L.A. and D.C. programs are not international programs, Bernd Widdig, executive director of BU Study Abroad, said students are not missing out on any opportunities.
“No, on the contrary,” he said. “For anybody who is interested in the entertainment industry in the widest sense, the L.A. program is totally unique and there are so many success stories where students later on were able to find jobs in the entertainment industry.”
These programs allow students to immerse themselves in very specific internship experiences that you cannot get abroad, he said.
“I feel like I’m missing out on a broader experience, I kind of get jealous of my friends who are going abroad internationally, because they get to experience a lot more,” said Craig Baldino, a College of Communication junior who plans to attend the L.A. program during his senior year. “But I think professionally, I’m a lot better off going to L.A. because of the program that it is.”
Hollywood, L.A., is the entertainment capital of the world with hundreds of companies, networks, cable companies and media outlets offering internships, said Bill Linsman, director of the L.A. programs.
“It’s like a candy store to go there for an entertainment industry related student,” he said. “The main benefit to students that come to us in the program are obviously internships and many, many of them end up with jobs.”
Conor Sullivan, a COM senior who is participating in the L.A. program this semester, said the program is very career focused.
“I feel like I already graduated,” he said. “This is a whole different experience than just studying abroad, it’s a different thing than just spending a semester away and then heading back to campus.”
Sullivan said the program made him focus on the business and think about his future.
“If you’re trying to do that, the program is very successful,” he said. “I’m learning a lot about the industry and learn a lot of things that I wouldn’t have been able to learn at BU.”
Nevertheless, Sullivan said there is a part of him that wishes he had gone overseas for a semester.
“Going to another country is extremely important. You learn so much and grow so much as a person — when you go outside of the U.S. and get out of the American way of thinking,” he said. “It would be a different option, it’s a different goal than the L.A. program.”
Walter Montaño, director of the D.C. programs, said there are similarly many benefits to going abroad in D.C. as opposed to another country including the unique internship program in areas where these students may look for jobs soon.
“D.C. is a very international city with many connections to other countries, embassies and different internships that if you have an interest in issues — anything from lobbying to prelaw to research, anything federal government related — you have access to here,” he said.
Patnaik said she preferred the D.C. program because it was not just a cultural experience, but academic and internship oriented.
“I was in an internship that is exactly what I want to do with my life and spent my time with people who are interested in the same things as me,” she said.
As an international student, Patnaik said that since she is already technically abroad for four years, the D.C. program was perfect for her.
“I can understand why most American students would want to leave,” she said. “It’s important perspective to have to actually go abroad and see what it’s like outside of America.” Brett Armstrong, the Auckland Study Abroad program manager, said that to become a competent, modern individual, it is important for students to spend time outside of the country to learn to move between different cultures and adapt to foreign languages.
“Those interested in being future leaders, regardless of their chosen field, have everything to gain from exploring the world, learning outside of one’s comfort zone,” he said in an email interview.
Working at internships in a foreign environment gives students a learning experience of adapting to other cultures and communicating, he said.
“When our students go back to the U.S., they do so with a new sense of confidence and accomplishment,” he said. “They go home with a better understanding of the world and of themselves.”
Chris Lisinski and Tanner Hawkins contributed to the reporting of this article.
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