As more Penn State students represent the United States while studying abroad, the possibility of improving international relations increases.

"I certainly think that a group of students acting as good stewards can do much to improve international relations and cross-cultural understanding," said Adam Veil, Office of Education Abroad promotion and outreach coordinator.

The Association of International Educators advises colleges to triple the number of students who study abroad with hopes of easing anti-American tension.

"We are unnecessarily putting ourselves at risk because of our stubborn monolingualism and ignorance of the world," the group said in a report.

Many Penn State students study in Europe or Australia, where some citizens hold anti-American sentiment, Veil said.

Jeff Grace (senior-finance and international business) said he met locals on his trip to London in the spring who over-generalized Americans. "My one friend was like 'yee-haw' and said cowboy stuff around me," Grace said.

Dan King (senior-accounting and international business) encountered some judgmental opinions of Americans while studying in Australia, the most common being that he was an all-American football player. "Overall anti-American sentiment wasn't anything too drastic, but certain people figured we would be arrogant and ignorant," he said.

King said that after spending a semester in Australia, he made long-lasting friends who don't judge him or America as stereotypically as before.

Saskia van Gemert, a Dutch student studying international business, met King in Australia and admitted to a few preconceived ideas about Americans.

"The most important stereotype of Dutch students about Americans is that they are superficial," van Gemert said in an e-mail message. "The idea is that Americans don't know a lot about the world outside the States and also don't really care."

King said he encountered several Australians who thought all Americans were "George Bush cowboys."

Grace said the Londoners had more knowledge of world affairs than his American group.

Gemert said sending students abroad weakens the views of America's perceived conceited nature. "Since students are a great part of the future, their presence in other countries identifies the fact that the U.S. values the strengths of countries overseas," Gemert said.

Veil said students preparing to study abroad should act like respectful guests.

"To be educated about current events is key," Veil said. "Research the traditions of the host culture beforehand for a more respectful assimilation."

Gemert said having a friendship with King allowed him to decide that not all Americans fit the stereotypes seen in movies.

Gemert said although some American students studying abroad only confirm the stereotypes, he believes most will help change the view the world has of Americans, improving international relations.

Gemert said he was concerned that Americans travel together too much, confirming the stereotype that American students show a lack of effort to integrate with other nationalities.

Although Grace traveled around London with about six Americans, he said they refused to stick to "Americanized" food and entertainment. "I wouldn't want to stick with Americans the whole time," he said. "We went to the local pubs. I bought their paper each day."