The world is Ben's oyster

In the space of three years, University of Adelaide student Ben English has traversed the globe in his thirst for knowledge and passion for social justice.

The 23-year-old Law/Arts and Languages student has met refugees in Cape Town, honed his French and political nous in Paris and delved into Native Title law in Darwin.

The experiences have come his way due to a desire to broaden his horizons and a willingness to venture out of his comfort zone.

Ben is among just 2% of University of Adelaide students who have enrolled in a Study Abroad program in the past year - in his case at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, where he spent most of 2011.

The time abroad not only earned Ben credits in his Bachelor of Arts degree but also counted towards his Diploma of Languages.

"Study Abroad is a phenomenal opportunity to broaden your education, travel, learn a language and experience life in another culture," Ben said.

"The University of Adelaide has an enviable network of exchange partners to choose from and the experience gives you a global approach to your field."

Increasingly, many leading universities around the world are making it compulsory for students to study abroad for part of their degree.

Professor Pascale Quester, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic), said the University had international agreements with more than 400 universities worldwide.

"We are committed to growing this part of the student experience and, ideally, I would like to see at least 30% of our students incorporating an international exchange as part of their degree.

"Not only does it transform your perceptions of the world - it also enhances your attractiveness to potential employers," Professor Quester said.

Internships also offer students a glimpse of different career paths they may choose to pursue on graduation.

In Ben's case, he has chosen two internships which reflect his passion for social justice.

The first involved working on a three-month human rights project in 2009 which involved the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Based in Cape Town, Ben interviewed refugees in various camps and collected data for the UNHCR.

His second internship, which he completed in August this year, involved working on the Aurora Native Title Project in Darwin, Northern Territory for the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority.

Strongly supported by the University of Adelaide Law School, the Aurora Native Title Project introduces law students to career opportunities in native title and Indigenous affairs.

"Internships are a highly valuable tool in applying what you have learned in your studies and gaining a more holistic and practical understanding of a particular area.

"It is often a starting point for a career because it allows you not only to establish relationships with a potential employer but, more importantly, to see if that line of work appeals to you," Ben said.