Studying Abroad is Expensive

That is most often the major reason students give for not taking the opportunity to study abroad in college. Looking at the price tag for a study abroad program can be daunting to students and families on a budget, but it is important to consider some simple facts.

1. You will never be able to travel this cheaply again. The combination of student and group travel rates often result in very deep discounts. Many study abroad programs include all the advantages of a package tour (guided travel) without the hefty price tag.
2. Many programs and institutions offer scholarships or some institutions even include study abroad in their fees. Check out every possible opportunity from your home institution before dismissing study abroad as too expensive.
3. Study abroad is typically considered part of your education so scholarships, financial aid, grants, and loans all still apply – at least for programs endorsed by your home institution.
4. Remember that housing, food, and course credit are all included in the price – how much would you spend if you had to pay tuition on a class in the summer or over a break?
5. Planning ahead can help you cover the cost by saving, asking family and friends to support this dream, and crowdsourcing/fundraising.

Studying Abroad will Slow Academic Progress

Another major concern for many students, advisers, and parents is that studying abroad will slow down a student’s path to graduation, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, studies have shown that students who study abroad are more likely than their peers to graduate on time. I studied abroad for an entire semester and graduated almost a year early because I saved required classes that I knew could be easily completed during that semester (perhaps even better as I was able to take both theater and art appreciation classes in London as well as Shakespeare, how many people can say that?). Many programs are now available over breaks, so students do not even need to worry about losing an important semester of work or carefully plan their course load as I did.

Studying Abroad is too Complicated

As a college student you have already learned how to navigate complex systems, so you’ve got this! A study abroad application is usually less complicated than applying for college – even when you must apply for scholarships. Choosing a study abroad program can seem overwhelming when you realize how many programs are available, but your best bet is to start with those already associated with your home institution, so you do not need to worry about the quality of the program and the support available. Also, working with a reputable study abroad program can reduce a number of the travel complications you might face otherwise because they make all the travel and housing arrangements for you as well as offer great advice to help you negotiate both preparations and the actual study abroad experience. Many programs have been doing this work for decades so you do not have to learn everything yourself.

The truth is that studying abroad can offer you competitive advantages as both a student and professional, make you a better person, and brings you incomparable life experiences. It is human to have concerns about such a major life decision, but don’t let your worries stop you from this life-altering experience.

There are many wonderful study abroad programs available to support your experience, but I have chosen to work with the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad. I will be visiting Scotland in the Summer of 2018 with CCSA to teach a writing class: Scribes in Scotland. Come wander, wonder, and write with me in Scotland!

If that doesn’t convince you then consider these five reasons to visit Scotland or these three reasons to join me on this adventure.

Learn more about the class:

Scribes in Scotland: Wandering, wondering, writing

Learn more about the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad organization and its Summer 2018 Scotland program

1. A journey designed for writers: This class is designed to help you grow as a writer. You will sharpen your observation and literary skills as well as develop a worldwide network of fellow writers. Check out the class flyer and syllabus to get a sense of what we have planned and remember that Scotland has inspired both historic and modern writers in a variety of genres — so how can it fail to inspire you? More details about the Scribes in Scotland class can be found here.
2. It’s Scotland! Scotland is a beautiful country with amazing scenery, unique cities, storied people, castles galore, and a strong literary tradition. Learn more about why you should visit Scotland here.
3. You need to study abroad: Every college student should study abroad because it offers you competitive advantages for both graduate school and the job market, helps you grow as a person, and offers incomparable life experiences. Learn more about why you should study abroad here.

Do you have questions about Scribes in Scotland? Contact d.mascle (at) moreheadstate.edu

Are you ready to sign up? Then apply today!

1. Literary inspiration: From Robert Burns to literary giant Sir Walter Scott to Irvine Welsh to Alistair Gray, Scotland abounds with writers inspired by the land.
2. Castles: Scotland is home to a variety of amazing castles from ancient relics to modern museums – and every castle comes with interesting stories that frame Scotland’s turbulent history.
3. Cities: Edinburgh and Glasgow are the cornerstones of our trip and both offer unique, individual charm. From the uber-modern parliament building in Edinburgh and the stunning Zaha Hadid-designed Riverside Museum, to Glasgow’s menu of Art Deco Mackintosh masterpieces, Scottish baronial buildings and imposing gothic structures, Scotland’s buildings are as eclectic as its people.
4. Scenery: Scotland boasts a rugged, beautiful landscape with enchanting valleys and snow-capped mountains and breathtaking lochs.
5. People: The Scots are a storied people who have had a dramatic impact on the development of modern culture throughout the world thanks to their writers, explorers, and inventors.

Come wander, wonder, and write with me in Scotland this summer as we explore the streets of Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as the Scottish Highlands to study what happened in those places, who lived in those places, and what those places mean — and in the process we will gain a better understanding of our own places, our own identities, and our own meanings.

So you have decided to study abroad, but now that you have made that decision how do you choose the right program for you? There are many options when it comes to study abroad. There are faculty-run programs, college/university-run programs, and larger programs — some that are consortia with college/university affiliation and others that are private-run programs.

Yes, that is a lot of options, but students do not need to make these decisions without help. Most colleges and universities have a study abroad office that will provide a list of the approved study abroad programs for your institution. This is important because then you can be sure that the program has been vetted and the academic credit you earn will be recognized by your home institution. The study abroad office can also help you find programs that complement your academic program and personal goals. Last, but not least, many institutions can offer both study abroad scholarships and financial aid support for study abroad — but only for approved programs!

Some things to consider when choosing a program:

• Location: Even if you do not have a specific destination in mind, you know your own comfort zone. How exotic an experience are you interested in? Do you want western amenities or do you want to experience a very different culture? Are you fluent in a language other than English?
• When are various programs offered and how long is the trip? Many programs offer classes during winter, spring, and summer breaks while others are for a semester or entire year. What type of program fits in with your college plans?
• What kinds of classes are offered and what experiences are included?
• What support is available for you before, during, and after the study abroad experience?

When I was an undergraduate I studied abroad for a semester in London through a State University of New York program. This meant that the transcript for the classes I earned that semester were earned from a SUNY. It also meant that I paid the same tuition, room, and board that I usually paid to attend the SUNY College at Plattsburgh. Today’s programs are usually funded differently than my experience, but the college/university affiliated programs still offer credits the same way — you will earn credit hours from either your home institution or the home institution of the program. When I considered my own options for teaching abroad I considered a faculty-run program through my home institution (Morehead State University) as I have many friends who have taken that route, I contemplated the KIIS Program (Kentucky Institute for International Studies), but ultimately chose to work with CCSA (Cooperative Center for Study Abroad) for several reasons.

Benefits for choosing CCSA:

• English! CCSA programs are offered in a variety of destinations for which English is an official and/or historic language, including Belize, Canada, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, New Zealand and South Africa, as well as, of course, its original sites in the British Isles
• Experience! Founded in 1982, CCSA offers programs on five continents, sending at least 500 students and faculty abroad each year. Many program leaders have been with CCSA for decades and led multiple trips abroad.
• Variety! Course offerings have also grown extensively to include subjects as different as marine biology and fashion design, watercolor painting and nursing, in addition to regular offerings in theatre, business, psychology, English, history, and political science.
• Interdisciplinary! Programs include courses in multiple disciplines to broaden and deepen the study abroad experience.
• Support Before and After! CCSA staff provides support and guidance for students throughout the application process – including help with scholarships and financial aid. In addition, CCSA works with all member institutions to ensure students receive the credit hours.
• Support Abroad! CCSA has a low student to faculty ratio and provides assistance through on-site program directors and assistant directors to support students 24/7 while abroad. CCSA provides medical and evacuation insurance for all participants while abroad. CCSA program directors and assistant directors are available on-site to assist and care for students who become ill. We maintain excellent relationships with the local clinics, pharmacies and hospitals. Medical insurance included.
• Community! Students and faculty build lifetime bonds as they travel, live, and eat together as well as share learning and exploration opportunities.

Ask me about joining my adventure to Scotland in 2018 or talk to a CCSA representative about other study abroad opportunities.

Study abroad should be considered an investment in your future

Study Abroad Gives You a Competitive Edge

Study abroad should be considered an investment in your future. Educational travel broadens your educational experience, develops global skills and perspectives, and demonstrates traits that employers and graduate schools find attractive, such as valuing diversity, new challenges, and growth opportunities. Research on the long-term impact of study abroad has found students earn better grades, graduate at both a higher rate and on time, and experience both personal and professional benefits. For example, one long-term study, by the SAGE Research Project, looked at 6,000 alumni over 50 years and found that study abroad has a substantial long-term impact on individuals’ career paths and global engagement. Multiple studies of employers have found that study abroad experience is a definite plus when it comes to hiring (see more here). Think about the specific advantages a study abroad program can offer you. For example, I was an English major and I was able to take a Shakespeare class and visit several key locations important to his life. I was also able to take both theater and art classes with access to the amazing theaters and galleries of London.

Study Abroad Is Self-Improvement

Study abroad is one of the ultimate life tests and it fosters a great deal of personal growth and development (see more here). It forces you to be more independent and to think more creatively once you step outside your comfort zone. You must adapt to new locations and new customs which in turn makes you more open and accepting of others both when you travel and after you return home. Meeting and connecting with people from other countries and cultures helps you learn more about those who are different from yourself, but also helps you understand how many common bonds humans share even when our countries of origin and customs are different. Travel simultaneously makes you recognize the immensity and diversity of our world while making the world seem smaller because faraway lands and peoples are now more known and understood. It is true that study abroad makes you a better world citizen, it also makes you a better American as you learn more about your own country by stepping outside its borders and viewing it through the eyes of others. My own study abroad experience made me a master problem solver because so many simple tasks are complicated by different cultures and communities. Simply doing laundry was a learning experience for me in a foreign country. However, it was talking about America with both the British and Europeans I met that really opened my eyes. Sometimes a simple comment made by a clerk would make me think and other times more in-depth conversations where I was forced to describe or explain parts of American life that were unfamiliar to me made me appreciate the immense diversity of my own country as well as its amazing uniqueness.

Study Abroad Changes Your Life

Study abroad makes it possible to completely break with your usual routine and life experience — changing you and the way you think about yourself and the world. These facts make study abroad an amazing way to travel the world — to see and experience the world. Try foods, hear music, view sights, and enjoy activities you could never experience at home. Expose yourself to new languages and customs. Travel is an incomparable life experience that will bring you greater happiness and rewards than any thing you can buy (see more here). Embrace life and embrace the world by studying abroad.

There will never be a better time in your life to travel than when you are young. Once you begin your career and family it is much more difficult to break away. In addition, a study abroad experience means that you are not a solo traveler. As part of a larger organization, you have a built-in support system that can help you negotiate the logistics of travel, lodging, and food — often with discounts for group travel. Any study abroad experience comes at a price although not always as expensive as you might think. For example, my semester in London cost the same (in regard to tuition plus room and board) as a semester at the State University of New York College I attended. Of course, I spent a lot more money than I would during a typical semester but that money was mostly spent on travel and experiences. During the semester I managed weekend trips to Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Paris, as well as experiencing London theater, art galleries, and historic sites. After my semester ended I traveled to the Netherlands and Sweden to visit distant relatives and friends. All of this travel was much cheaper for me than it would be later in life because of hefty student discounts.

There are many wonderful study abroad programs available to support your experience, but I have chosen to work with the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad. I will be visiting Scotland in the Summer of 2018 with CCSA to teach a writing class: Scribes in Scotland. Come wander, wonder, and write with me in Scotland!

First published via Medium

Learn more about the class that I (Dr. Deanna Mascle of Morehead State University) will teach for the CCSA Summer 2018 Program in Scotland:

Scribes in Scotland: Wandering, wondering, writing