Studying abroad may be a popular way to experience foreign cultures, but lesser-known work-abroad programs may have more to offer University students.
And when it comes to working abroad, the University is a national trendsetter, said Bill Nolting, director of international opportunities. He added that the University recently received an award from the Council Work Abroad program.
"We got the award for having the largest number of students from any one university going on that program," Nolting said. "We've actually won that award four times in the last six years."
LSA junior Kemir Baker, a student peer advisor who worked in England, said her experience was both enjoyable and educational.
"I went after my first year of university. I was quite young," Baker said. "I worked at tempting agencies. That was great because you get to see a lot of cultures and diversity because you're always in a different job.
"I learned a lot about surviving and going after things," Baker said. "Once I finished the program I felt I could do anything."
Nolting estimated that about 500 University students join work-abroad programs each year.
"In the work-abroad area there's an almost unique tradition here at Michigan," he said. "And it's simply gotten stronger in the last five years."
The University's Overseas Opportunities Office helps students interested in working overseas by providing an extensive reference library, peer advisors and presentations about different programs throughout the year. "What we do is to find what programs there are to assist people who want to work abroad," Nolting said. "The whole idea of an office that actually assists students in working abroad is rare in the United States. The few that I know that are similar to ours are (at) Harvard, Stanford and Wisconsin.
"I've been to a lot of other universities and they don't support this at all."
While students can can work virtually anywhere in the world, obscure destinations are becoming more attractive.
"The more popular European countries are popular, but more and more students want to go to different countries like in Asia, South America and Africa," said LSA junior Lori Cloutier, a peer advisor who worked in England for three months.
Both Cloutier and Baker agreed that although they learned a lot about another culture, they also gained a better understanding of being American.
"You're able to look at your own culture from a different perspective," Cloutier said. "Things that you thought were completely normal might be strange to (foreigners)."
"When you go somewhere else, you appreciate who you are - you have to anyway," Baker said.