Studying abroad in college is easier than you think
If you’re like me, you’ve been prevented from making the University Study Abroad Consortium programs a part of your academic resume by asking yourself a never-ending cycle of worried questions: What if I can’t adapt to a new culture or language and become isolated? What if I fall behind in credits? What if I can’t afford it? How can I possibly pick the right time to go? In search of the answers to my many questions I decided to hassle a few of the USAC “veterans” that I knew as well as journey to the campus USAC office located between Getchell Library and Nightingale Hall.
Carolynn McCormick, a double major in international affairs and French, studied abroad in Pau, France, during the 2005 fall semester, then again in Accra, Ghana, during the spring 2006 and she talked to me about cultural barriers.
“One of my most memorable experiences while studying abroad was bartering for food and jewelry in French while traveling in Mali,” McCormick recalls. Ian Robinson, an international business major who studied abroad in Alicante, Spain, during the 2005 spring semester, added, “I met so many new people (while studying abroad) and made so many new friends some of whom are actually out here visiting me right now.”
But, what about school? Isn’t it possible to fall behind in credits while studying abroad? Carmelo Urza, director of the campus USAC office, informed me “(It’s) a myth that studying abroad delays graduation. USAC students tend to graduate much sooner than normal students.” (This, as I found out, is in approximately 4.5 years).
When I questioned Robinson about this, he responded “Sure, I’m a little behind in credits (after studying in Spain), but I learned Spanish (while I was there), which I think is almost better. Learn to speak Spanish and you can communicate with most of the world.”
McCormick, on the other hand, found absolutely no problems relating her time in Pau to her major and said “My classes took care of most of my requirements and were easy to get out of the way (while studying abroad.)”
Aren’t USAC problems expensive though? How can I possibly afford all those fees, not to mention living and traveling expenses?
“Plan ahead, save money and be resourceful,” Urza exclaimed.
In addition to being savvy when it comes to your expenses, the USAC office offers several scholarships that can be applied towards the cost of tuition and fees. Students can also draw on the Millennium Scholarship for programs in Chile, China, India and Spain, just to name a few. (For more information on financing your USAC experience, attend an information session at noon on Oct. 18 in Jot Travis Student Union room 244).
Now that my fears about cultural isolation, late graduation, and finances have been put to rest, one question remains: How do I choose the “right” time to study abroad? Truth be told, there is no perfect time to pack your bags and begin the experience of a lifetime.
“Plan ahead academically with your advisor” recommends Urza. But, realistically, he says, “(Studying abroad) is a bit like the Nike thing: You have to ‘Just do it!’ ”
Phillipa Lockwood is a columnist for The Nevada Sagebrush. She can be reached at editor@nevadasagebrush.com.
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