Education
How #WhyStudyAbroad Made its Way Around the World
How one conversation about the value of international experience reached more than 40 different countries.
- In this digital era, information travels faster than ever and can extend one's reach to unprecedented levels. Just over a week ago, a fun little phenomenon took place across the study abroad and international exchange online community.
However, when it comes to social media, as a wise man once said, "if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it".
And unless you took part in it, we're betting you did.But that's why we're here to share this story on how one conversation about the value of international experience reached more than 40 different countries around the world.
It started like this..
If you could only use three words to convince someone to study abroad what would they be? #studyabroad #travel- @CulturalVistas Dare, Discover, Achieve! (p.s. picking three words is harder than we thought!)
And then, the replies started coming in...
@CulturalVistas #WhyStudyAbroad - Adventure & personal growth. - But really, I could probably give you five groups of #3Words!!With the help of a few key influencers, the message began to amplify...
How would you convince someone to #StudyAbroad or #InternAbroad in just 3 words? #WhyStudyAbroad. H/T @CulturalVistasA push from our pals at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) brought the message onto Facebook.
There, the call to action generated a spirited response: 160-plus 'Likes', comments & shares via the Exchanges Connect page & more than 115 unique interactions on the State Alumni page.
Fabulous replies to #WhyStudyAbroad? on our Facebook page! Keep 'em coming: owl.li/cPOxc http://pic.twitter.com/CR1dJbp2And it continued...
- #WhyStudyAbroad @yesprogramnews: "Learning to lead" "trusting to follow" #yesalumniToT yfrog.com/oc9lzpxj @CulturalVistas
When all was said and done, the #WhyStudyAbroad call to action had inspired more than 600 interactions from more than 400 individuals across both Facebook and Twitter.
While those numbers may pale in comparison to any giving 'trending topic' on any day of the week.
What was unique to this conversation, however, was its true, global reach.
From its humble beginning, individuals from more than 40 countries shared why they feel international experience is so valuable - as concisely as they could of course ;)Just where did this conversation extend to?
As one contributor put it...
Did you find this story interesting? like or comment as 4 already did!
Liked!
OneWorldYouthProjectSo glad to have participated in this conversation, and gained so much from reading other peoples' interpretations. It's obvious after reading this that study...more2012-08-20T04:12:12.318Z
- OneWorldYouthProjectSo glad to have participated in this conversation, and gained so much from reading other peoples' interpretations. It's obvious after reading this that study...So glad to have participated in this conversation, and gained so much from reading other peoples' interpretations. It's obvious after reading this that study abroad is a truly special opportunity. Now let's talk about how to make it more equal access.more2012-08-20T04:12:12.318Z
- Patricia Sayre WardLove the see for yourself comment! from a SA mom2012-08-19T16:46:48.653Z
