Study abroad programs sending more students across the globe
By: Heather Freeman
Issue date: 9/29/08 Section: News
More than 200 students studied abroad during the 2007-08 school year, compared to the 95 who did the year before.
And with interest in study abroad increasing, the Office of International Programs really wants more students to be aware of the different programs that are available.
According to Ines Maxit, a study abroad coordinator, there will be a fair on Wednesday, Oct. 1, in the Student Center that highlights some of the programs that they have to offer this year.
There are three main options for studying abroad, and they occur throughout the school year and summer. Students can choose a faculty-led program, which usually lasts about two weeks and up to a month. They are held during the summer and Spring Break, and they are even offered as a Maymester so students can return to school and still take classes.
There are faculty-led programs associated with different departments, including education, business, human sciences and modern languages, among others.
However, students can still go on trips that aren't led by professors in their field. Scholarships will be available for students who have at least a 2.5 GPA. Applications will be available in October.
Maxit says the faculty-led programs are "good for students who haven't been abroad," because they will be led by an SFA professor. Also, students receive between three and six hours of course credit during the trip.
Another option is to study abroad with providers. These programs are offered during the summer, an academic year, a semester or one intensive month. SFA hosts many different providers, and a representative from the ISA provider will be here on Tuesday, Sept. 30, to talk to students.
Studying abroad through providers allows students to stay longer, and all classes offered are transferable.
Students can also be exchange students through the ISEP network. Maxit calls it "a cheap way to study abroad," because students pay their regular SFA tuition and board fees. The school also provides financial aid, so students are encouraged to work with the Financial Aid Office.
Students pick up to 10 international schools that offer similar classes and are informed within a month of the school in which they are placed. They usually stay in dorms, but if dorms are not available, students stay with a host family.
"One of the ideas of studying abroad is taking classes that you would not be able to take here," Maxit said. Some schools may not offer the exact courses that are offered here, but the credits transfer.
There are pamphlets about the various programs and providers located the Office of International Programs on the fourth floor of the Liberal Arts North Building.
hfreeman@thepinelog.com
And with interest in study abroad increasing, the Office of International Programs really wants more students to be aware of the different programs that are available.
According to Ines Maxit, a study abroad coordinator, there will be a fair on Wednesday, Oct. 1, in the Student Center that highlights some of the programs that they have to offer this year.
There are three main options for studying abroad, and they occur throughout the school year and summer. Students can choose a faculty-led program, which usually lasts about two weeks and up to a month. They are held during the summer and Spring Break, and they are even offered as a Maymester so students can return to school and still take classes.
There are faculty-led programs associated with different departments, including education, business, human sciences and modern languages, among others.
However, students can still go on trips that aren't led by professors in their field. Scholarships will be available for students who have at least a 2.5 GPA. Applications will be available in October.
Maxit says the faculty-led programs are "good for students who haven't been abroad," because they will be led by an SFA professor. Also, students receive between three and six hours of course credit during the trip.
Another option is to study abroad with providers. These programs are offered during the summer, an academic year, a semester or one intensive month. SFA hosts many different providers, and a representative from the ISA provider will be here on Tuesday, Sept. 30, to talk to students.
Studying abroad through providers allows students to stay longer, and all classes offered are transferable.
Students can also be exchange students through the ISEP network. Maxit calls it "a cheap way to study abroad," because students pay their regular SFA tuition and board fees. The school also provides financial aid, so students are encouraged to work with the Financial Aid Office.
Students pick up to 10 international schools that offer similar classes and are informed within a month of the school in which they are placed. They usually stay in dorms, but if dorms are not available, students stay with a host family.
"One of the ideas of studying abroad is taking classes that you would not be able to take here," Maxit said. Some schools may not offer the exact courses that are offered here, but the credits transfer.
There are pamphlets about the various programs and providers located the Office of International Programs on the fourth floor of the Liberal Arts North Building.
hfreeman@thepinelog.com
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