Following significant results of a psychosocial study out of Rutgers University, researchers have concluded that studying abroad in England absolutely does not count.
“This has been a long-debated issue in the academic community,” said lead researcher Dr. Sheila Muntz. “Because yes, England is technically a different country from America, but is really ‘abroad’? Like, come on now.”
As a result of the team’s work, all study abroad programs in England have been reclassified as ‘intense field trips,’ and anyone who has gone on one is required to admit that the experience was basically like moving to New York.
Cultural similarities between England and the United States are the primary reason for this demotion.
“If you’re going to a place where everyone speaks English, most of the population is white, there’s a long history of colonialism, and they have a Subway restaurant on every corner,” said research assistant Prayuj Mullick. “I’m sorry, that’s not ‘abroad’. That’s barely even ‘away’.”
Dr. Muntz says the idea for the study came to her when a student argued his experience studying abroad in England “changed his life”.
When pressed on how it changed his life, the student said, “You know, it was a few hours ahead. And they have accents!”
Vassar senior Meredith Neese was devastated by the news.
“How can they say my experience abroad wasn’t valid when I learned so much about spelling things with an ‘ou’ and drinking at 3PM?”
The new classification means anyone who studied abroad in England is no longer allowed to call the experience one that “really forced them out of their comfort zone,” but scientists assume they will continue saying “lift” instead of “elevator”, then correcting themselves with a smug smile.
As far as whether they’d reclassify any other study abroad programs, Dr. Muntz seemed to be considering it.
“Australia barely gets away with it because it’s far away,” she said. “But they’re on thin ice.”
