Jessica Pena, a 20-year-old Japanese Studies major from SUNY Postdam in New York studying at Kansai Gaidai in Osaka, Japan, is wise beyond her years. While unintentional on her part, Jessica has effectively created her own personal brand using the Internet as a platform for her future. To chronicle her experiences while studying abroad, Jessica chose to vlog (video blog) “as a way to share my experiences with others who have the same goals and aspirations.”

Check out her blog on  BlogAbroad!

On July 13, Daniel de Vise of the Washinigton Post asked the questions "Does it help or hinder an education? Is it a glorified vacation for rich kids, or a program of study comparable in depth and rigor to what the student would get back on campus?"

At StudyAbroad.com we think that it most certainly does help you become a more well rounded student.  there is no substitute for living and studying in a foreign country if you want to gain in-depth knowledge of different customs and language. Additionally, you will find that studying in another country can develop important competencies that can be of interest to future employers.  The key is finding the right program for you.

Read Daniel's great article on the Washington Post web site @ http://voices.washingtonpost.com/college-inc/2010/07/does_study_abroad_make_you_a_b.html