Amid increased student interest in studying abroad and a job market that favors international experience, students explored overseas options all this week as part of World Opportunities Week.

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Darren Bechtel

Students find out about overseas options at a panel hosted at the Career Development Center yesterday. The events of World Opportunities Week have worked to educate students about the possibilities available when going abroad.

A joint endeavor by the Career Development Center, Overseas Studies and the Overseas Resource Center, the annual program consists of a series of events designed to inform Stanford students about educational, career and internship prospects abroad.

Today’s events at the CDC include a panel at noon on studying abroad through Stanford and a panel on international careers in public service at 4 p.m. Tomorrow there will be an information session at noon on Child Family Health International, a public service organization.

Kristin Conner, a career counselor at the Career Development Center and an organizer of the program, said that World Opportunities Week has been held for over 10 years and was developed in response to the growing popularity of international experiences among University students.

“There is a strong interest among Stanford students in going abroad,” Conner said, “whether for career aspirations, study or simply to travel, [or to] develop skills in the areas of broader cultural understanding, communication, adaptability, flexibility and possibly other languages.”

She also stressed the increasing importance of international study in today’s job market.

“If a student’s goal is for an international career, he or she will want to get started now in going abroad, as many international career fields prefer prior abroad experience,” Conner said. “Even if a student’s ultimate goal is not a long-term international career, going abroad strengthens a resume and is looked upon highly by domestic employers also.”

She added, “But beyond academic or career benefits, many students tell me that going abroad has changed their lives in more personal ways, seeing the world from a different perspective.”

However, studying abroad is not the only option for students interested in gaining international experience while in college.

Conner said that the CDC wants to highlight other opportunities during this week, since many students are unaware of the numerous public service prospects overseas, which include internships, volunteer work and service-learning projects.

“College study abroad programs are really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” said freshman Sarah Carroll. “I’m definitely hoping to study abroad my junior year, because I think immersion in another culture would be incredibly enriching.

“Bust I know some of my friends don’t think they can fit a quarter abroad into their academic careers,” she continued. “These information programs that talk about service corps and international careers are especially helpful for them.”