PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology, by definition, is the study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context. Studying abroad allows students to see firsthand the personalities and mental processes of people in a different culture. Observing everyday life and people in a different context will reshape students’ perspective of how mental processes are influenced by external factors. Students can make connections with people through new ideas, old ideas and using a different language.
The experiences, challenges, tribulations, and excitement of adjusting to a new culture can be a valuable experience for any student. We can learn a lot from other countries’ health systems as they can from us. And comfortably relating to people from other countries is a valuable skill, especially since the United States is growing in diversity.
Subjects
KEI offers a wide range of psychology subjects. Click on a subject area to view program locations that offer courses in that subject.
Faculty Spotlight
James Binnie is the Director of the BSc Psychological Counselling program at London South Bank University in London, England.
James holds degrees and certificates in Psychology and Criminology, Mental Health Nursing, and Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy from Kings College London. Prior to joining London South Bank University, James worked as a cognitive behavioral psychotherapist specializing in early-onset psychosis, and held positions at a drug and alcohol project in South West London, the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, The National Chronic Fatigue Service, NHS Psychotherapy Department, and the Primary Care Mental Health Service (IAPT) in London Borough of Bromley.
James is a British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) accredited psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer, a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and a registered mental health nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. He has presented research findings at several conferences including BABCP and The Psychosis Interdisciplinary Research Group Symposium at the Institute of Psychiatry.
Research Areas:
- Problematic Pornography Use
- Clinical case study methodology
- Professional identity within mental health services
- Training in psychological therapies
- Assimilative integration within psychotherapy and counseling
- Blending existentialism into a cognitive behavioral approach
- Medicalization of psychological therapies
- The process of psychotherapy and drop-out
- Transition from CAMHS to adult mental health services
- Qualitative service evaluation
- Refugees and hearing voices
IN THE NEWS
How Studying Abroad Makes You A Better Leader by Shellie Karabell
Once upon a time, doing business abroad was unique: Berlitz and others published books on business etiquette for those venturing across the ocean, language books enabling you to order in a restaurant or to get you through a social encounter. And once upon a time, that was enough. Today, thanks to technology and the internet, the world is global. Business is global. Nearly three-fourths of all S&P 500 companies today report some kind of international revenue. Read more.
Study abroad: the career benefits by James Connington
There are skills to be gained from moving country and adjusting to a new teaching system. It’s also far easier to identify the skills you are lacking when you step outside your comfort zone – and going abroad to study is a fairly serious step. Read more.
Employability & Education Abroad
Education abroad has been shown to have significant impact on learning, academic performance, graduation, careers, and personality development. Below is a summary of results from notable studies on the impact of education abroad.
| Careers, Salaries & Job Skills | |
|---|---|
97% |
of study abroad students found employment within 12 months of graduation, when only 49% of college graduates found employment in the same period. (1) Among study abroad alumni, 90% landed a job within 6 months. (2, 11) |
25% |
higher starting salaries: that’s how much more study abroad students earn than those college graduates who do not study abroad.(1) This equates to approx. $7,000 annually for US students. (3) |
90% |
of study abroad alumni who applied got into their 1st or 2nd choice grad school. (1) |
84% |
of study abroad alumni felt their studies abroad helped them build valuable skills for the job market. (4) A second study confirms this at 85%. (9) |
40% |
of US businesses failed to expand due to a dearth of staff international experience. (13) |
80% |
of study abroad students reported that study abroad allowed them to better adapt to diverse work environments. (4) |
70% |
of study abroad alumni claimed that because of study abroad they were more satisfied with their jobs. (4) |
59% |
of employers said study abroad would be valuable in an individual’s career later on with their organization. (10) |
34% |
of study abroad alumni claimed that study abroad helped them choose their career field. (4) |
19% |
lower unemployment rates were found among study abroad alumni according to a British study. (4) |
| Graduation & Academic Performance | |
100% |
greater improvement in GPA post-study abroad. Students who studied abroad saw their GPAs rise twice as quickly as their peers. (8) |
19% |
more likely to graduate: that describes how study abroad participants are more likely to graduate than non-participants. (5, 6, 7) |
| Personal Growth | |
97% |
of study abroad alumni attributed study abroad to increased maturity. (12) |
96% |
of study abroad alumni claimed an increase in self-confidence attributed to study abroad. (12) |
89% |
of study abroad alumni reported that study abroad facilitated a greater tolerance for ambiguity. (12) |
| Resources | |
| 1 | Benefits of Study Abroad |
| 2 | New Survey Shows College Graduates Who Study Abroad Land Career-Related Jobs Sooner, with Higher Starting Salaries |
| 3 | How Higher Education Affects Lifetime Salary |
| 4 | AIFS Study Abroad Outcomes |
| 5 | UC San Diego Study: 2011 EAP and OAP Retention, Graduation, and Time-to-Degree Combined |
| 6 | Go Abroad and Graduate On-Time: Study Abroad Participation, Degree Completion, and Time-to-Degree |
| 7 | The Effect of Study Abroad on College Completion in a State University System |
| 8 | Academic Outcomes of Study Abroad |
| 9 | The Impact of Studying Abroad on Recent College Graduates’ Careers |
| 10 | Employers Value Candidates Who Study Abroad |
| 11 | Mobile Students More Likely to Have a Job |
| 12 | How More Study Abroad Programmes Could Benefit Society |
| 13 | Paul Simon Study Abroad Act Back on Legislative Cards |
